The Case for Mark Kelly

New York Times: “Mr. Kelly, a relative newcomer to politics, would bring to the Democratic ticket a résumé as remarkable as any political consultant could dream of: He is the working-class son of New Jersey police officers, a Navy pilot who flew 39 combat missions off the U.S.S. Midway in Operation Desert Storm, and a NASA astronaut and engineer who collected debris from the Columbia disaster, commanded a shuttle as the United States returned to space and flew the Space Shuttle Endeavour’s final mission.”

“Oh, and he is married to Gabrielle Giffords, the former Arizona representative whose near-fatal brain injury in a mass shooting made her a symbol against gun violence, in her battleground state and beyond.”

“All of that could be hugely helpful to Ms. Harris as she tries to recapture momentum among working-class voters and keep Arizona, where former President Donald J. Trump has been gaining an edge, winnable for Democrats.”

“But Mr. Kelly’s special appeal, beyond what other potential running mates from swing states could provide, is his expertise on the technical issues and politics of the U.S.-Mexico border, perhaps Ms. Harris’s biggest vulnerability, his backers say.”

The Daily Beast reports the family of the late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is backing Kelly for the job.