As Kamala Harris gears up for her campaign as a presidential candidate, speculation grows around her potential vice-presidential pick. Among the contenders is Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, who plans to stay in his home state next week, highlighting his commitment to addressing immigration and border issues.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the 2024 presidential race underway, Democratic Senator Mark Kelly has emerged as a key figure in the speculation surrounding Kamala Harris’s choice for a vice-presidential running mate. In a recent interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Kelly indicated that he will focus on supporting Harris’s campaign, emphasizing his commitment to the issues of immigration and border security.Kelly, a former astronaut and senator from the border state of Arizona, has been seen as a potential asset to Harris’s campaign, especially given his comfort in addressing complex immigration issues. During the interview, Kelly refrained from commenting directly on whether he would join Harris on her campaign tour, set to begin in Philadelphia next week. Instead, he stated, “I am going to be focused on making sure that Kamala is the next president,” while planning to remain in Arizona next week.This comes as Harris narrows down her choice for a running mate from a shortlist that reportedly includes Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Kelly’s potential role as a VP candidate gains particular interest due to his background and stance on border issues, areas that have been challenging for Harris. He has been vocal in defending Harris’s efforts in Central America and criticized Republicans for their handling of bipartisan border legislation earlier this year.Kelly specifically called out Republican Senator JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, accusing him of planning a “photo op” visit to the border and critiquing his previous controversial comments about Democratic leaders. Kelly also highlighted the failure of a bipartisan border bill, attributing it to Republican obstruction, and criticized Vance’s opposition to a bipartisan tax package that included an expansion of the child tax credit.As the Harris campaign continues to shape its strategy and potential VP selection, Kelly’s influence and statements will likely play a significant role in the narrative surrounding immigration and border policy in the upcoming election.
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