Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) released a new ad that will air in Phoenix and Tucson, claiming to be “taking on his own party” to combat inflation.
Kelly, a self-proclaimed individual focused on “independent leadership,” acknowledged the spike in consumer prices under President Joe Biden.
“Arizona families are facing tough choices like how to fill the gas tank or the grocery cart. And things people count on can be hard to find. We can’t afford to wait this out. So I’m pushing for solutions today, even if it means taking on my own party,” Kelly said in the 30-second ad.
However, despite his claims, Kelly has overwhelmingly sided with Biden and Democrats on key policy issues. For example, according to ProPublica, the Arizona Democrat has voted with Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) roughly 96 percent of the time. Similarly, he and Senator Bernie Sanders have voted the same 92 percent of the time.
Earlier this year, Kelly announced his support for a measure to suspend the federal gas tax in an effort to reduce the prices. However, the legislation was supported by a host of Democrats, including Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA).
While Kelly is touting “taking on his own party,” the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is running an ad comparing Kelly’s voting record to President Joe Biden. Like Schumer, Kelly has voted with Biden 97 percent of the time, according to the group.
“Whether it be his faux concern about the border crisis or his self-declared independence, Mark Kelly says one thing to Arizonans but does another in the U.S. Senate. His 97 percent voting record with President Biden is all the proof Arizonans need to vote him out of office,” said NRSC Spokesman T.W. Arrighi.
Kelly will face a Republican challenger in the November midterm elections.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Mark Kelly” by Captain Mark Kelly.
