Mark Edward Kelly is a Democratic politician and former astronaut who has served as the junior United States senator from Arizona since 2020. He won the special election following Senator John McCain's death, defeating Republican incumbent Martha McSally.
1953: Historical Significance of Arizona Senate
Mark Kelly's 2020 Senate victory marked the first time since 1953 that Arizona had two Democratic senators.
1962: Last Democratic Win of Arizona's Senate Seat Before Kelly
The last time a Democrat won Arizona's Senate seat before Mark Kelly was in 1962.
February 21, 1964: Birth of Mark Kelly
Mark Edward Kelly was born on February 21, 1964, in Orange, New Jersey.
1982: Entry into the United States Merchant Marine Academy
In the summer of 1982, Mark Kelly entered the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
1982: Graduation from Mountain High School
Mark Kelly completed his high school education at Mountain High School, graduating in 1982.
1986: Graduation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy
Mark Kelly earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marine engineering and nautical science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1986, graduating with the highest honors.
December 1987: Mark Kelly Becomes Naval Aviator
In December 1987, Mark Kelly became a naval aviator after completing his initial training on the A-6E Intruder attack aircraft.
January 7, 1989: Marriage to Amelia Victoria Babis
Mark Kelly married Amelia Victoria Babis on January 7, 1989.
1993: Attendance at U.S. Naval Test Pilot School
Mark Kelly attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School from 1993 to 1994.
1994: Completion of Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering
Mark Kelly obtained a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1994.
1996: Mark Kelly Selected as NASA Space Shuttle Pilot
Mark Kelly was selected as a NASA Space Shuttle pilot in 1996.
December 5, 2001: Launch of STS-108, the Final Shuttle Mission of 2001
On December 5, 2001, following a series of postponements, the Endeavour spacecraft successfully lifted off, marking the commencement of the STS-108 mission, which was the last Shuttle mission of that year.
2001: First Space Mission as Pilot of STS-108
Mark Kelly embarked on his first space mission in 2001 as the pilot of STS-108.
February 2003: Loss of Space Shuttle Columbia
The Space Shuttle Columbia was tragically lost in February 2003.
2003: Meeting Gabby Giffords
Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords crossed paths in 2003 during a trip to China as part of a trade mission organized by the National Committee on U.S.–China Relations.
2004: Divorce from Amelia Victoria Babis
Mark Kelly and Amelia Victoria Babis divorced in 2004.
July 2006: Launch of STS-121, the First Shuttle Mission on the Fourth of July
In July 2006, the STS-121 mission, utilizing the Discovery spacecraft, was initiated. This mission marked the second "Return to Flight" endeavor following the unfortunate loss of the Columbia shuttle in February 2003. Due to unforeseen weather-related delays, the STS-121 mission secured its place in history as the inaugural shuttle mission to commence on the Fourth of July.
2006: Discussion on Space Shuttle Risks During STS-121 Discovery Mission
During the STS-121 Discovery mission in 2006, which was the second mission after the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, Mark Kelly engaged in a discussion about the potential dangers associated with Space Shuttle flights.
2006: Pilot of STS-121 Discovery
In 2006, Mark Kelly piloted the STS-121 Discovery mission.
November 10, 2007: Marriage to Gabby Giffords
On November 10, 2007, Mark Kelly married U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords in a ceremony attended by his STS-124 shuttle crew and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.
2008: Commander of STS-124
Mark Kelly served as commander of the STS-124 mission in 2008.
October 7, 2010: Scott Kelly's Mission to the ISS
Scott Kelly embarked on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on October 7, 2010.
January 8, 2011: Assassination Attempt on Gabby Giffords
On January 8, 2011, Mark Kelly's wife, then-Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, was shot and nearly killed in an assassination attempt in Tucson, Arizona, resulting in six fatalities.
January 12, 2011: Memorial Service for Tucson Shooting Victims
A memorial service for the victims of the Tucson shooting was held on January 12, 2011, at the University of Arizona, where President Obama delivered a speech and consoled Mark Kelly.
February 3, 2011: Speech at the National Prayer Breakfast
Mark Kelly delivered a moving speech at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, on February 3, 2011, sharing his experience of finding strength in faith after the attack on his wife.
February 4, 2011: Confirmation of Mark Kelly as Commander of STS-134
NASA, on February 4, 2011, publicly affirmed that Mark Kelly would maintain his position as commander for the impending mission. The decision to proceed with Kelly at the helm was influenced by the positive trajectory of his wife's recovery, which instilled confidence in his ability to effectively lead the mission.
April 29, 2011: First Launch Attempt of STS-134 Scrubbed, Gabby Giffords Travels to Florida
On April 29, 2011, the initial attempt to launch STS-134 was halted. Gabby Giffords journeyed to Florida, marking her first trip outside of Tucson since relocating to Houston in January following an attempt on her life. Her presence at Kennedy Space Center significantly elevated the launch's public attention.
May 16, 2011: Launch of STS-134
The STS-134 mission successfully commenced its journey on May 16, 2011.
May 22, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI Calls Endeavour, Extends Blessing to Gabby Giffords
On May 22, 2011, at 4 PM PDT, a coordinated effort between the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency facilitated a phone call from Pope Benedict XVI to the Endeavour spacecraft. This call, prompted by a discovered issue with the Shuttle's exterior, saw Benedict extending his blessings to Gabby Giffords, who had recently undergone cranial surgery earlier that week. Notably, this event holds the distinction of being the first instance of a papal figure communicating with astronauts actively engaged in a space mission.
June 21, 2011: Announcement of Retirement from Navy and NASA
Mark Kelly made a public announcement on June 21, 2011, regarding his retirement from both the U.S. Navy and NASA.
June 24, 2011: Mark Kelly Sends Messages from ISS to Wife and Glastonbury Festival
On June 24, 2011, a pre-recorded message from Mark Kelly, transmitted from the International Space Station (ISS), was played. In this message, Kelly expressed his love for his wife using lyrics from David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and introduced U2's "Beautiful Day" as the opening song for the first night of the Glastonbury festival held in England. A similar message from Kelly, also sent from the ISS, was broadcasted during multiple stops of U2's 360° Tour concert.
October 1, 2011: Effective Retirement Date from Navy and NASA
October 1, 2011, marked the official end of Mark Kelly's service in the U.S. Navy and NASA as his retirement took effect.
2011: Commander of STS-134, the Final Mission of Space Shuttle Endeavour
In 2011, Mark Kelly commanded the STS-134 mission, marking the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour.
2011: Advocacy for Gun Control
Following the 2011 Tucson shooting where his wife, Gabby Giffords, was critically injured, Mark Kelly became a vocal advocate for gun control.
2011: Publication of "Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience"
In 2011, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords collaborated on a book titled "Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience." The book delves into the lives of the couple, providing biographical insights and offering a detailed account of the assassination attempt Giffords survived and the initial stages of her subsequent recovery. The narrative is primarily told from Kelly's point of view and concludes with a heartfelt note penned by Giffords herself.
March 28, 2012: Appointment to SpaceX Safety Advisory Panel
On March 28, 2012, SpaceX announced that Mark Kelly would join their independent safety advisory panel, composed of human spaceflight safety experts.
2012: Publication of Children's Book "Mousetronaut: Based on a (Partially) True Story"
In 2012, Mark Kelly ventured into children's literature with his book "Mousetronaut: Based on a (Partially) True Story," featuring illustrations by C.F. Payne. This book achieved remarkable success, becoming a New York Times No. 1 bestseller. It was followed by a sequel titled "Mousetronaut Goes to Mars" the following year.
January 2013: Founding of Americans for Responsible Solutions
In January 2013, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords launched a political action committee called Americans for Responsible Solutions to promote solutions to gun violence.
March 31, 2013: Advocacy for Universal Background Checks
On March 31, 2013, Mark Kelly publicly stated that any bill lacking universal background checks for gun ownership was a mistake.
2013: Director of Flight Crew Operations at World View Enterprises
Beginning in 2013, Mark Kelly served as the Director of Flight Crew Operations at World View Enterprises, a Tucson-based company. He was involved in developing new crafts and procedures.
2014: Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence
In 2014, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords co-authored the book "Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence."
2015: Astrotwins: Project Blastoff
In 2015, Mark Kelly and Martha Freeman co-wrote "Astrotwins: Project Blastoff," a fictional story about twins building a space capsule. Kelly dedicated this book to his brother, Scott Kelly.
2016: Formation of Giffords
In 2016, Americans for Responsible Solutions merged with the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, creating a new organization called "Giffords."
2016: Astrotwins—Project Rescue
The sequel to "Astrotwins: Project Blastoff," titled "Astrotwins—Project Rescue," was published in 2016.
August 25, 2018: John McCain's Death
John McCain, Arizona Senator, passed away on August 25, 2018, leaving a vacant Senate seat.
December 31, 2018: Jon Kyl's Resignation
Jon Kyl, who was appointed to fill John McCain's Senate seat after his death, resigned on December 31, 2018.
February 12, 2019: Mark Kelly Announces Candidacy for Arizona's Class 3 U.S. Senate Seat
On February 12, 2019, Mark Kelly announced his candidacy for Arizona's Class 3 U.S. Senate seat in the 2020 special election.
August 4, 2020: Mark Kelly Wins Democratic Primary for Arizona's Senate Seat
Mark Kelly emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for Arizona's Senate seat on August 4, 2020.
November 3, 2020: Mark Kelly Defeats Martha McSally in Arizona Senate Election
Mark Kelly defeated incumbent Republican Martha McSally in the Arizona Senate election on November 3, 2020.
November 4, 2020: Arizona Senate Election Victory
On November 4, 2020, The Associated Press declared Mark Kelly the winner of the Arizona Senate election.
December 2, 2020: Mark Kelly Sworn in as U.S. Senator
Mark Kelly was officially sworn in as a U.S. Senator on December 2, 2020.
2020: Moderate Stance and Bipartisanship
During his 2020 Senate campaign, Mark Kelly presented himself as a moderate and expressed support for bipartisanship.
2020: Pro-Choice Stance and Endorsements
During his 2020 Senate run, Mark Kelly publicly identified as "pro-choice" and received an endorsement from Planned Parenthood.
2020: Mark Kelly Elected as Junior Senator from Arizona
In 2020, Mark Kelly was elected as the junior United States Senator from Arizona.
2020: Announcement of Senate Candidacy
Mark Kelly announced his candidacy for the 2020 United States Senate special election in Arizona on February 12, 2019, aiming to fill the seat previously held by John McCain.
January 3, 2021: Start of the 117th Congress
The 117th Congress commenced on January 3, 2021, marking the official start for many senators and representatives elected in 2020.
February 2021: Vote to Convict Trump in Impeachment Trial
In February 2021, during Trump's second impeachment trial, Mark Kelly voted to convict the former president for incitement of insurrection.
2021: High Score from League of Conservation Voters
Mark Kelly received a 97% score from the League of Conservation Voters in 2021, reflecting his stance on environmental issues.
October 2022: Alignment with Biden's Positions
As of October 2022, data indicated that Mark Kelly's voting record aligned with President Biden's stated positions 94.5% of the time.
November 2022: Reelection to the Senate
Mark Kelly secured his reelection to the Senate in the November 2022 general election, defeating his Republican opponent, Blake Masters.
2022: Advocacy for Expanded Oil Drilling
In 2022, with rising gas prices as a concern, Mark Kelly advocated for expanding oil drilling operations.
2022: Mark Kelly Re-elected to Full Senate Term
Mark Kelly secured a full term as a U.S. Senator after winning the 2022 election.
January 2025: Mark Kelly to Become Senior Senator from Arizona
Mark Kelly is set to become the senior senator from Arizona in January 2025.