Arizona election results: Mark Kelly ousts incumbent Republican senator Martha McSally
Former astronaut takes Arizona senate seat
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former astronaut Mark Kelly has ousted Arizona’s incumbent Republican senator Martha McSally as the parties jockey for the upper chamber’s gavel.
Mr Kelly, who is married to former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, will be one of two Arizona Democrats in the Senate, with Mr Kelly filling a seat once held by former GOP presidential candidate John McCain.
Mr Kelly secured the seat with 53.4 per cent of the vote, according to Associated Press. He won some 179,000 more than votes than his rival.
His win – as Democrats hope to push closer to a majority in the Senate – follows Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s victory in Arizona, which Donald Trump carried in 2016.
It's the second election night contest in which a Democrat beat a GOP incumbent. The other was in Colorado.
The Arizona race was a a special election to finish Mr McCain's term, so Mr Kelly could be sworn in as early as 30 November, when the results are officially certified.
Mr Kelly flew combat missions for the Navy during Operation Desert Storm before becoming a test pilot and later an astronaut. He flew four missions to the International Space Station.
He is the husband of former Democratic US representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head and wounded in an attempted assassination during a constituent event in Tucson in 2011.
Mr Kelly's victory gives Democrats both Senate seats in Arizona. He will join Kyrsten Sinema in Washington.
Ms McSally had been a vocal supporter of Mr Trump throughout her reelection campaign but later her distanced herself from the president when trailing in the polls.
During a debate last month, she repeatedly refused to answer when quizzed about her support of Trump administration policies.
Mr Kelly ran on a more liberal platform than that of his rival. Throughout the campaign, he held a consistent lead in the polls and raised more money than his GOP opponent.
With Associated Press
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments