Mark Kelly Of West Orange Among Finalists For Harris’ VP Pick: Reports

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Will Sen. Mark Kelly make the cut as Kamala Harris’ vice-presidential running mate? It’s still too early to tell – but West Orange’s hero astronaut-turned-senator says he is ready to “answer the call” if needed.

Kelly, a U.S. senator from Arizona who grew up in Essex County and has a school named after his twin brother and himself in West Orange, is reportedly among the people being considered as Harris’ running mate. She is expected to announce her decision this week ahead of a cross-country tour in several battleground states.

Harris interviewed three final contenders for the job on Sunday, including Kelly. Other interviewees reportedly included Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota and Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Harris met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Friday and was also meeting candidates virtually.

On Sunday, Kelly posted a message on social media that seems to reference the vice-presidential search:

“Whether it was from my time in the Navy and at NASA, serving in the United States Senate, or visiting our troops overseas: I’ve learned that when your country asks you to serve, you always answer the call.”

It’s worth noting that Kelly posted an earlier message – which has since been deleted – that read: “I spent my life in the Navy and at NASA, where the mission always comes first. Now, my mission is serving Arizonans.”

Kelly was re-elected to the Senate in 2022. See Related: West Orange’s Hero Astronaut Re-Elected To Senate In Arizona

Kelly – who is married to former congresswoman Gabby Giffords – was recently inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. His brother and identical twin, Scott Kelly, was inducted in 2020.

• See Related: Mark Kelly Of West Orange Joins Astronaut Hall Of Fame
• See Related: West Orange School Renamed After NJ Astronaut Brothers
• See Related: West Orange Astronaut Refuses 'Poison' PAC Funds In Senate Bid

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