History of Mark Kelly in Timeline
Mark Edward Kelly is an American politician, retired astronaut, and naval officer. Currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Arizona since 2020, he is a member of the Democratic Party. His background as an astronaut distinguishes him within the political landscape.
1962: First Democrat to win the seat since 1962
In 2020, when Mark Kelly won the senate seat, he became the first Democrat to win the seat since 1962.
February 21, 1964: Mark Kelly Born
On February 21, 1964, Mark Edward Kelly was born. He is now an American politician, retired astronaut, and naval officer.
1982: Graduated from High School
In 1982, Mark Kelly graduated from Mountain High School.
1982: Entered the United States Merchant Marine Academy
Mark Kelly entered the United States Merchant Marine Academy in the summer of 1982.
1986: Graduated from United States Merchant Marine Academy
In 1986, Mark Kelly graduated with highest honors in a marine engineering and nautical science BSc from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
December 1987: Became a Naval Aviator
In December 1987, Mark Kelly became a naval aviator and received initial training on the Grumman A-6E Intruder attack aircraft.
January 7, 1989: Kelly Marries Amelia Victoria Babis
On January 7, 1989, Mark Kelly married Amelia Victoria Babis. They later divorced in 2004 and have two daughters, Claudia and Claire Kelly.
1994: Attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School
From 1993 to 1994, Mark Kelly attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. After the Gulf War, Kelly received his master's degree and then attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.
1994: Received MSc in Aeronautical Engineering
In 1994, Mark Kelly received a MSc in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.
1996: Selected as NASA Space Shuttle Pilot
In 1996, Mark Kelly was selected as a NASA Space Shuttle pilot.
December 5, 2001: Launched on STS-108
On December 5, 2001, after several delays, Endeavour launched on the STS-108 mission, the final Shuttle mission of the year.
2001: First Space Mission
In 2001, Mark Kelly flew his first space mission as the pilot of STS-108.
February 2003: Loss of Columbia
The loss of Columbia happened in February 2003.
2003: Kelly and Giffords Meet in China
In 2003, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords met during a trade mission to China sponsored by the National Committee on U.S.–China Relations.
2004: Kelly Divorces Amelia Victoria Babis
In 2004, Mark Kelly divorced Amelia Victoria Babis, whom he married on January 7, 1989. They have two daughters, Claudia and Claire Kelly.
July 2006: Piloted STS-121 Discovery
In July 2006, Mark Kelly piloted STS-121 Discovery, the second "Return to Flight" mission after the loss of Columbia in February 2003. STS-121 became the first shuttle mission to launch on the Fourth of July due to weather delays.
November 10, 2007: Kelly Marries Gabby Giffords
On November 10, 2007, Mark Kelly married U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords in Tucson, Arizona, in a ceremony officiated by Rabbi Stephanie Aaron. Attendees included his STS-124 shuttle crew and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.
October 7, 2010: Scott Kelly Went to ISS
On October 7, 2010, Scott Kelly went to the ISS, and STS-134 was scheduled to go to the station during his mission.
January 8, 2011: Giffords Shot in Assassination Attempt
On January 8, 2011, Gabby Giffords was shot in an assassination attempt that resulted in six fatalities. Mark Kelly described the subsequent month as the most difficult of his life, expressing gratitude for the widespread support and prayers for his wife's recovery.
January 12, 2011: Memorial Service Held for Shooting Victims
On January 12, 2011, a memorial service was held at the University of Arizona to honor those killed in the assassination attempt on Gabby Giffords. President Obama attended and spoke at the memorial, with Mark Kelly seated between First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. Following the service, Obama consoled Kelly, who then returned to the hospital to be with his wife.
January 2011: Wife Shot in Assassination Attempt
In January 2011, Kelly's wife, Gabby Giffords, who was then an Arizona Representative, was shot and nearly killed in an assassination attempt in Arizona.
February 3, 2011: Kelly Speaks at National Prayer Breakfast
On February 3, 2011, Mark Kelly spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., where President Obama also delivered remarks. Kelly shared that the attack on his wife had deepened his faith and awareness of prayer. He reflected on finding makeshift memorials with Bibles and angels in Tucson, where he felt a renewed sense of spirituality. Kelly concluded the event with a prayer adapted by Rabbi Stephanie Aaron from a traditional bedtime prayer, which Rabbi Aaron had also recited over Giffords on the night of the shooting.
February 4, 2011: NASA Announced Kelly Would Remain Commander of Mission
On February 4, 2011, NASA announced that Mark Kelly would remain commander of the STS-134 mission, due to his wife's remarkable recovery progress.
April 29, 2011: First Launch Attempt of STS-134 Scrubbed
On April 29, 2011, the first launch attempt of STS-134 was scrubbed. Kelly's wife, Gabby Giffords, traveled to Florida for the launch, marking her first trip since moving from Tucson to Houston in January after an attempted assassination. President Barack Obama also visited the Kennedy Space Center.
June 21, 2011: Announced Retirement from Navy and NASA
On June 21, 2011, Mark Kelly announced his retirement from both the Navy and NASA, effective October 1, citing Gabby Giffords's needs during her recovery.
June 24, 2011: Message from ISS at Glastonbury Festival
On June 24, 2011, a recorded message by Mark Kelly from the ISS wished his wife love using song lyrics from David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and introduced U2's song "Beautiful Day" on the first night of the Glastonbury festival in England.
2011: Co-Authored "Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience"
In 2011, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords coauthored "Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience," providing biographical information and detailing the assassination attempt on Giffords and her recovery.
2011: Kelly Advocates for Gun Control
In 2011, Mark Kelly became an outspoken advocate for gun control following the attempted assassination of his wife, former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords, during the Tucson mass shooting.
March 28, 2012: Joined SpaceX Safety Advisory Panel
On March 28, 2012, SpaceX announced that Mark Kelly would be part of an independent safety advisory panel of human spaceflight safety experts.
2012: Authored "Mousetronaut: Based on a (Partially) True Story"
In 2012, Mark Kelly's second book, "Mousetronaut: Based on a (Partially) True Story", illustrated by C. F. Payne, became a New York Times number one bestseller.
January 2013: Started Americans for Responsible Solutions
In January 2013, weeks after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords started a nonprofit political action committee, Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS), to promote solutions to gun violence.
March 31, 2013: Spoke About Universal Background Checks
On March 31, 2013, Mark Kelly stated that "any bill that does not include a universal background check is a mistake" regarding gun control.
2013: Director of Flight Crew Operations at World View Enterprises
Beginning in 2013, Kelly served as Director of Flight Crew Operations at World View Enterprises.
2013: Founded Americans for Responsible Solutions
In 2013, Kelly and Giffords founded Americans for Responsible Solutions, a nonprofit political action committee, which campaigned for gun control measures.
2014: Coauthored "Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence"
In 2014, Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly coauthored "Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence."
2015: Co-wrote "Astrotwins: Project Blastoff"
In 2015, Mark Kelly and Martha Freeman co-wrote "Astrotwins: Project Blastoff", a fictional story dedicated to Scott Kelly.
2015: Kelly Appears on Celebrity Jeopardy!
In 2015, Mark Kelly appeared on an episode of "Celebrity Jeopardy!".
2016: Chinese Company Invested in World View
Between 2013 and 2016, Chinese company Tencent invested millions into World View.
2016: Delivered Paid Speeches for Shaklee
From 2011 to 2016, Mark Kelly delivered paid speeches in the U.S. and China on behalf of Shaklee.
2016: Americans for Responsible Solutions Merged with Law Center
In 2016, Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS) merged with the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence to become Giffords, advocating for background checks and red flag laws.
2016: Published "Astrotwins—Project Rescue"
In 2016, the sequel to Astrotwins: Project Blastoff, Astrotwins—Project Rescue, was published.
August 25, 2018: John McCain's Death
The senate seat in Arizona was vacated upon John McCain's death on August 25, 2018.
December 31, 2018: Jon Kyl Resigned
The senate seat in Arizona was held by Governor Doug Ducey's appointee Jon Kyl until Kyl resigned on December 31, 2018.
February 12, 2019: Announced Run for Senate
On February 12, 2019, Mark Kelly announced that he would run as a Democrat in the 2020 U.S. Senate special election in Arizona.
2019: Left World View Enterprises
In 2019, Mark Kelly left World View Enterprises before starting his Senate campaign.
November 4, 2020: The Associated Press Called the Race for Kelly
On November 4, 2020, the Associated Press called the race for Mark Kelly. His election marks the first time since 1953 that Arizona has had two Democratic senators.
December 2, 2020: First Senate Vote
On December 2, 2020, Mark Kelly cast his first Senate vote, a "no" vote on the nomination of Kathryn C. Davis to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
2020: Became Senator
In 2020, Mark Kelly became the senior United States senator from Arizona, a position he has held since then. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
2020: Kelly Runs as a Moderate
In 2020, Mark Kelly ran as a moderate candidate, emphasizing bipartisanship. Since entering the Senate, he has supported abolishing the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation and raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour. He has also criticized President Joe Biden's approach to border security.
2020: Elected to the Senate
In 2020, Mark Kelly was first elected to the Senate in a special election. He defeated incumbent Republican Martha McSally in the general election.
2020: Kelly Supports Abortion Rights
In 2020, as a candidate, Mark Kelly expressed his "pro-choice" stance and received endorsement from Planned Parenthood. He supports codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law and believes late-stage abortions should be legally protected.
January 3, 2021: Other senators and representatives took office at the opening of the 117th Congress
Senators and representatives elected in 2020, took office at the opening of the 117th Congress on January 3, 2021, but Mark Kelly took office during the 116th Congress shortly after Arizona certified its election results on November 30.
February 2021: Kelly Votes to Convict Trump
In February 2021, Mark Kelly voted to convict Donald Trump for incitement of insurrection during Trump's second impeachment trial, and has openly expressed his disdain for him.
2021: Held World View Stocks Through a Blind Trust
As of 2021, Mark Kelly held over $100,000 of World View stocks through a blind trust.
2021: Kelly Receives High Score from League of Conservation Voters
In 2021, Mark Kelly received a 97% score from the League of Conservation Voters, reflecting his support for climate action. However, he has stated he "does not favor" the Green New Deal.
October 2022: Kelly's Voting Record Aligns with Biden's Stance
As of October 2022, Mark Kelly had voted in line with President Joe Biden's stated position 94.5% of the time.
2022: Kelly Advocates for Oil Drilling Expansion
In 2022, Mark Kelly advocated for expanding oil drilling in response to rising gas prices.
2022: Kelly Reelected
In 2022, Mark Kelly was reelected, defeating Republican nominee Blake Masters by 125,719 votes.
2022: Reelected to a Full Term
Mark Kelly was reelected to a full term in 2022.
January 2023: Kelly's Bills Regarding Indian Tribes Signed into Law
In January 2023, President Joe Biden signed into law three bills introduced by Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema concerning Indian tribes. These included the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act, the Colorado River Indian Tribes Water Resiliency Act, and the Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act, each aimed at improving water infrastructure and rights for the respective tribes.
2023: Kelly Co-sponsors Bipartisan END FENTANYL Act
In 2023, during the 118th Congress, Mark Kelly co-sponsored the bipartisan END FENTANYL Act, which was passed into law. The law mandates United States Customs and Border Protection to refresh its interdiction procedures at least every three years, aiming to mitigate narcotics and human trafficking across the U.S. southern border.
July 2024: Kelly Blames Trump for Sinking Border Bill
In July 2024, Mark Kelly voiced his support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, emphasizing that "Dreamers are as American as anyone." He also blamed former President Donald Trump for obstructing a bipartisan border bill.
November 2025: Kelly Participates in "Illegal Orders" Video
In November 2025, Mark Kelly was among six Democratic lawmakers who participated in a video reminding military service members of their right to refuse "illegal orders". Subsequently, President Trump labeled those in the video, including Kelly, as traitors, suggesting they should be charged with sedition and sharing a social media post calling for them to be hanged.
November 24, 2025: Kelly Under Investigation for "Illegal Orders" Video
On November 24, 2025, the United States Department of Defense announced an investigation into Mark Kelly following "serious allegations of misconduct" related to his participation in the "illegal orders" video. Kelly and the other lawmakers involved received threats, and Kelly reported a significant increase in graphic and violent threats. He also raised $12.5 million in the final quarter of 2025.
2025: Kelly Votes for Laken Riley Act
In 2025, Mark Kelly joined 11 other Senate Democrats and all Republicans in voting for the Laken Riley Act.
January 5, 2026: Pentagon to Pursue Action Against Kelly
On January 5, 2026, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon would pursue administrative measures against Mark Kelly, including a reduction in his retirement pay, due to his participation in the "illegal orders" video. Kelly responded by filing a lawsuit one week later, alleging violations of protected free speech and legislative independence.
February 2026: Grand Jury Declines to Indict Kelly
In February 2026, a grand jury declined to indict Mark Kelly and others regarding the "illegal orders" video. Subsequently, Judge Richard J. Leon of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued a temporary injunction against Secretary of Defense Hegseth's proposed actions concerning Kelly's rank and pension. Hegseth announced that Leon's decision would be "immediately appealed".
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