Famed Astronaut From West Orange Running For Senate In Arizona

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Mark Kelly, one of New Jersey's famed sibling astronauts, is setting his sights on a new mission: get elected to the U.S. Senate.

On Tuesday, Kelly – a West Orange native who entered the history books alongside his identical twin, Scott Kelly, as the only such pair to travel to space – announced that he’s running for U.S. Senate in Arizona. (Watch the video below)

After growing up in New Jersey, Kelly moved to Tucson with his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt in 2011. Together, the pair have since become strong advocates for “commonsense” gun control laws, which he’s made a pillar of his political platform.

• See related article: West Orange School Gets Visit From Mark Kelly, Gabby Giffords

“This will not be an easy campaign,” Kelly wrote. “And the truth is, there is no way I can do it alone. Our fight to improve our gun laws and my commitment to tackling climate change and ending the outrageous influence corporate money has on our politics means there are a lot of powerful interests who want to stop us. But we are no stranger to tough fights. For the past five years, we've taken on the gun lobby together... and we are winning. And I have absolutely no doubt that if you're with me in this fight, we're going to win here, as well.”

According to his campaign website, as a naval aviator, Kelly made two deployments to the First Gulf War on the aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Midway and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm. He’s a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, has logged more than 5,000 flight hours, and has made more than 375 carrier landings.

Kelly has earned awards such as the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He was selected as an astronaut in 1996, and flew his first of four missions into space in 2001 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, the same space shuttle he commanded on its final flight in May 2011.

Kelly has spent more than 50 days in space and has lived on the International Space Station, as did his brother, Scott. The Kelly brothers recently had a school in their hometown renamed in their honor in recognition of their unique achievement.

• See related article: West Orange School Renamed After NJ Astronaut Brothers

Kelly’s senatorial aspirations garnered an enthusiastic vote of support from his brother, who tweeted: “I’ve known this guy my whole life. I can’t imagine a better candidate for U.S. Senator #ForArizona! #FullSpeedAhead.”

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