Science & Technology
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly endorsed by pro-science group for 2028 US presidential bid
What happened
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat, has received backing from a prominent pro-science advocacy group for his potential 2028 US presidential election campaign. The endorsement highlights growing support for candidates emphasizing scientific and technological priorities in national politics.
Key facts
Mark Kelly is the incumbent Democratic Senator from Arizona, first elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2022.
The 314 Action Fund is a political action committee that supports candidates who prioritize science and technology policies.
Kelly served as a NASA astronaut from 1996 to 2011, including two Space Shuttle missions (STS-108 in 2001 and STS-121 in 2006) before his Senate career.
The endorsement comes as Kelly explores a potential run for the 2028 US presidential election, though no formal announcement has been made.
Arizona has 11 electoral college votes in presidential elections, making it a significant state in national campaigns.
Context
Mark Kelly is a Democratic Senator from Arizona, serving since 2020 after previously being an astronaut and Navy captain. The pro-science group backing Kelly is the 314 Action Fund, which advocates for evidence-based policies and supports candidates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Kelly is a former NASA astronaut who flew on multiple space shuttle missions, including as commander of STS-134, the final mission of the Endeavour orbiter. Arizona has been a key battleground state in recent US elections, with shifting political dynamics in the southwestern region.