IN FOCUS - July 26, 2024

Arizona is said to be the only state in the union where mothers can't tell their children they can grow up to be President. But, what about Vice President?

Arizona’s very own U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly is reportedly among the finalists to be selected as a running mate to Kamala Harris. Multiple individuals are being vetted by the Harris campaign, including governors from Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Kentucky. An announcement is likely within the next two weeks.

Sen. Kelly’s biography is a political ad-maker’s dream: decorated combat veteran; astronaut; border-state Senator; spouse to attempted assassination survivor Gabby Giffords. Did we mention Sen. Kelly is one of the nation’s strongest fundraisers? Backers of a Harris-Kelly ticket say it could put Sun Belt states like Arizona and Nevada firmly in play for Democrats this November.

Notably, Arizona’s resign-to-run law does not apply to federal officials like Sen. Kelly. If his White House dreams come up short, he would remain in the Senate.

However, if Sen. Kelly is sworn-in as Veep on Jan. 20, 2025, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs would select his replacement. Among possible appointees, Congressman Greg Stanton, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Attorney General Kris Mayes, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero are among those being floated.

Or, imagine this scenario: Republican Kari Lake prevails in her Senate bid this November and Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego finds himself in the Senate anyway … as an appointee to the Kelly seat. The past few weeks have demonstrated anything is possible.