Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly sworn in as newest senator

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) welcomed Kelly to the Senate ahead of his swearing in.

“It may not be the role he expected for himself earlier in his life,” Schumer said. “As Mark likes to say, his wife Gabby was already the member of the family in Congress. But tragedy upended both of their lives, and changed so many of their plans. Everyone continues to be inspired by Gabby’s recovery, by Mark’s devotion, and the courage it took for their family to reenter public life and public service.”

Kelly will serve the remainder of the late GOP Sen. John McCain’s final two years, and immediately run again for re-election in 2022. Throughout his Senate campaign against McSally, Kelly proved himself to be a prolific fundraiser.

Kelly’s swearing in marks the first time in nearly 70 years that Arizona will have two Democratic senators, a sign of the state’s newfound status as a battleground. He will join Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who beat McSally in 2018. Both Kelly and Sinema ran as moderates during their campaign.