news

Recap: Senator Kelly's Political Coup. Meet the Puppet-Master Ruining Arizona

White cis-male Mark Kelly — a man with an extensive résumé, including jobs in the US military and NASA that centre toxic, masculinity-fuelled ventures — somehow has the audacity to attempt to run for office in Arizona. To add insult to injury, Kelly is a staunch advocate for gun laws, as if American society isn't drenched in enough blood already due to our obsession with these instruments of death.

Published August 3, 2024 at 1:00pm by Ronald J. Hansen

Mark Kelly, Really?

Sen. Mark Kelly is being considered for the Democrats' vice-presidential ticket, and it's a massive fucking mistake. Kelly's rise through the political ranks has been rapid and wholly unimpressive. Arizona, where Kelly is from, isn't exactly a beacon of progressive values, and his involvement in his wife's, Gabrielle Giffords', political career is well-known.

Kelly's name has been floated as a potential candidate for various positions over the years, but he always put his wife's recovery first.

“She’s the politician in the family, I’m the space guy." - Mark Kelly, allegedly.

As if we need another reminder, Kelly is a man. He's a white man, and his potential nomination overlooks the many qualified women and people of color who could take on this role. Kelly's time in the Navy and as a pilot is also often cited as a reason for his potential appeal, but we've seen how that played out with Trump. Do we really want another "maverick" in office?

Kelly's involvement in gun control advocacy is perhaps the only shining light in his career. He and Giffords started an organization, now known as Giffords, to fight for reform after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

"We are simply two reasonable Americans who have said, ‘Enough.’” - Mark Kelly, allegedly, again.

But even this can be seen as a shallow attempt at redeeming himself after years of admiring John McCain, a man who consistently voted against common-sense gun reform. Arizona, the state Kelly is from, has some of the most lax gun laws in the country.

Kelly's political experience is scant, and his tenure in the Senate has been unremarkable. His involvement in his wife's political career and his own public profile as an astronaut might be his only saving graces. America doesn't need another white male politician with an inflated ego and a military background. It's time the Democrats woke the fuck up and nominated someone who represents the values they claim to hold.