Mark Kelly pays tribute to John McCain as he’s sworn into US Senate

‘The legacy of this Arizona Senate seat, once held by Senator McCain, is one of independence’

Former astronaut Mark Kelly was sworn into the US Senate after visiting the grave of his hero John McCain.

Mr Kelly, a Democrat who will serve out the remainder of Mr McCain's term until 2023, was joined by his wife and daughter as the family paid respects at the late Republican's gravesite at the US Naval Academy Cemetery.

"Senator McCain has been a hero of mine since I was a young pilot. He left a legacy of service to Arizona and country that can't be matched, but that we should all strive towards," Mr Kelly said in a tweet.

He was sworn in by vice president Mike Pence on Wednesday after beating COP senator Martha McSally in November's election, reducing Republicans’ lead in the Senate ahead of January's Georgia run-offs that will decide control of the legislature.

Mr Kelly campaigned on being a pragmatic and moderate centrist in his narrow two-point win over Ms McSally, and in a statement after taking office that he invoked that independence shared by his hero.

“The legacy of this Arizona Senate seat, once held by Senator McCain, is one of independence,” he said.

“I am committed to working with Republicans and Democrats and using science, data and facts to craft policies that will help us overcome our greatest challenges, including tackling this virus and getting our economy back on track.”  

 

The 56-year-old retired Navy captain, who flew four missions to the International Space Station, was one of two Democrats to unseat Republican incumbents, and it marks the first time in 67 years that Arizona's two senators were Democrats.

Mr Kelly was joined the state's other Democrat senator, Krysten Sinema, as he was sworn into the oath of office and congratulated by the vice president as both sides of the aisle welcomed him with a standing ovation and elbow bumps.

He was also joined by wife Gabby Giffords, a former member of the House who survived a mass shooting in 2011. The pair have been since been become leading gun control advocates.

“Great day, excellent day,” Ms Giffords told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony.