Arizona’s new senator takes office

Former astronaut Kelly narrows GOP majority

WASHINGTON — Arizona Democrat and former astronaut Mark Kelly was sworn into the Senate on Wednesday, narrowing Republican control of the chamber and underscoring his state’s shift from red to blue.

Kelly, 56, defeated GOP Sen. Martha Mcsally in last month’s election, making her one of only three incumbents to lose. By taking office, he has reduced the Republican edge in the chamber to 52-48.

That will have scant impact on Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell’s control over the chamber for the final month of this congressional session. But it sets the stage for two pivotal Jan. 5 Senate runoff elections in Georgia.

If Democrats win both, they will command the 50-50 chamber for the new Congress that begins in early January because Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would cast tie-breaking votes.

In an interview, Kelly praised the late Sen. John Mccain, R-ariz., a political maverick whose seat he now holds and whose grave he visited Tuesday at the U.S. Naval Academy in nearby Annapolis, Maryland.

He also voiced support for a push by bipartisan congressional moderates to pass a COVID-19 relief bill before Congress adjourns for the year. “I think something should happen now,” he said.

Kelly was sworn into office by Vice President Mike Pence. Among those watching from the visitors’ gallery were his wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-ariz., and Scott Kelly, his twin brother and fellow retired astronaut.

Nicholas Kamm The Associated Press Sen. Mark Kelly, D-ariz., with his wife former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-ariz., participates in a re-enactment of his swearing-in Wednesday by Vice President Mike Pence in a ceremony held in the Old Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill.