WASHINGTON — Numerous Democratic senators are heaping praise on Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., as a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris — but the prospect of his seat’s being vacated is stoking some anxiety.
“He’d be superb,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., the party’s vice presidential nominee in 2016.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Kelly has “enormous depth and wisdom,” as well as “real common sense” and an ability to grasp “very complex” issues quickly.
But some in the party are nervous about the idea of his leaving the Senate, fearing a Republican would win a special election in Arizona to finish his current term, which expires in January 2029. It’s a factor some Democrats say should be weighed because the party has such a small majority and risks losing control of the chamber.
“Kelly has got a lot of appeal as a candidate, but unproven as a national campaigner. And yes, he has a valuable seat,” said a Democratic official who has worked with Harris in the past.
The official added that Harris, who was a senator for four years, could add a different skill set to the ticket by picking a governor, which “might be a good complement to her.”
Kelly, who sources have confirmed is being vetted by Harris’ team, won in Arizona in a 2020 special election, outperforming Joe Biden that year. He won again in 2022 for a six-year term. If he ascends to the vice presidency, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, could appoint a successor, but it could trigger a special election and put the seat up for grabs before his term ends.
Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, called Kelly “savvy,” saying he has “the right values” and is “one of the most unflappable people I’ve ever met.” But, he said, protecting his seat is also a consideration.
“This is a calculation that the vice president and her team have to make. And that’s certainly a factor. But there are trade-offs no matter who you pick,” Schatz said. “So we’ve just got to, I think, first and foremost, she’s got to decide who she’s comfortable being a partner with.”
Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said Kelly is one of several contenders who could be Harris’ running mate.
“The considerations she has to take into account are, first of all, winning the election. And so looking at states where the race is really in play, and also alignment of values and the issues. I think there’s several people who fill that role,” Baldwin said. “Certainly my colleague Mark Kelly would, but there’s a lot of other names that I’m seeing, too.”
Kelly has cultivated a reputation in the Senate as a center-left pragmatist who has been a reliable vote for most administration priorities while keeping his distance from the most progressive issues and staying attuned to local issues like water conservation.
One issue that has rankled organized labor is that Kelly is a rare Democrat who hasn’t co-sponsored the PRO Act, a high priority for unions that has 49 official signers in the Senate.
“Senator Kelly would vote for the PRO Act on the Senate floor,” Kelly spokesperson Jacob Peters said Tuesday.
Kelly declined to discuss the possibility of being Harris’ running mate, instead responding to questions by lauding Harris and not outright refusing.
“Kamala Harris is going to be the nominee. That is clear. She’s the right person for this job. And I’m going to work really hard to make sure we don’t see Donald Trump back in the White House,” he said.
Kelly told NBC News that Arizona is “absolutely winnable” for Harris, “without a doubt.” Asked whether it would help her to have an Arizonan on the ticket, he responded: “It’s not about me. This is about making sure Donald Trump isn’t in the White House again.”
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who has also been floated as a possible running mate, said he hasn’t received vetting materials from the Harris campaign. Asked whether he’d be interested, he said, “I think she’s got a good list of people that she’s interested in right now.”
Some fellow Democrats who represent battleground states added glowing praise for Kelly.
“I love Sen. Kelly, respect Sen. Kelly — naval aviator, combat veteran, space shuttle commander, United States senator,” said Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga. “I can’t speak to the vice president’s process. I’m sure she’s going to make a strong choice. Sen. Kelly is an American hero and absolutely worthy of that consideration.”
A Senate Democratic aide said that losing Kelly’s seat is “obviously a concern” but that keeping Trump out of the White House should be the single most important consideration for Harris.
“She should pick whoever she thinks she can work and campaign with the most effectively,” said the aide, who wasn’t authorized to discuss the issue publicly. “To stop Trump, you put out your starters. You don’t worry about the risk of an injury.”
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