Kelly, a former NASA astronaut, was seeking a full term as Arizona’s senator in the 2022 race after winning the 2020 race against Martha McSally, the Republican who was serving out the remainder of John McCain’s term after he died while in office. Throughout the election cycle, the race has been at the center of national attention, providing one of the best pickup opportunities for Senate Republicans this year. 2022 MID-TERM ELECTIONS: LIVE UPDATES Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly (left) and Republican Sen. Blake Masters (right). (Dimitrios Kampouris/Brandon Bell) Masters, the wealthy businessman turned GOP Senate candidate, was endorsed by former President Donald Trump in early summer before winning the Arizona GOP primary in August. Kelly and Masters only participated in one debate, but the pair lit up the stage in one of the closest matches of the cycle. MARK KELLY LIKES WHAT HAS BECOME TO ARIZONA AS A RESULT OF THE SOUTHERN BORDER CRISIS: BLAKE MASTERS During the heated confrontation, Masters suggested that Kelly and President Joe Biden were central contributors to rising costs, the southern border crisis and crime. Abortion was also central to the race, with Masters openly expressing his pro-life views, believing abortion should be outlawed with exceptions, while Kelly would not clarify his pro-abortion position despite using it as a talking point throughout his campaign. Arizona Republican Senate candidate Blake Masters smiles on stage before a televised debate with Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly and Libertarian candidate Mark Victor in Phoenix. (Ross D. Franklin) During their discussion, Kelly was asked by the moderator if she supported abortion after six, seven or even eight months of viability. “I have supported Roe v. Wade,” Kelly replied, avoiding a clear answer to the question. Throughout his campaign, Kelly touted his pro-abortion views but did not say what restrictions, if any, he supported when pressed by his opponent and asked by Fox News Digital on multiple occasions. KARI LAKE ‘100% SURE’ WILL BE ARIZONA’S NEXT GOVERNOR Kelly far outraised Masters, bringing in $21 million from the July to September fundraising period, while Masters added just $4 million to his campaign purse over the same period. Mark Kelly thanked Arizona voters in a statement. “Thank you to the people of Arizona for re-electing me to the United States Senate. From day one, this campaign has been about the many Arizonans — Democrats, Independents and Republicans — who believe in working together to address the significant challenges we face. That’s exactly what I did the first two years of my term and will continue to do so for as long as I am there. It has been one of the great honors of my life to serve as Arizona’s senator. I am humbled by the trust our state has placed in me to continue this work,” Kelly said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Senator Gary Peters also praised Kelly’s victory. “Congratulations to Senator Mark Kelly on his victory. Mark’s life has been defined by service – as a fighter pilot in the Navy, as an astronaut with NASA and now in the US Senate,” Peters said. He added: “Arizona voters stood by Mark because he cuts through the political noise, solves problems and delivers results, no matter how difficult the mission. Arizona’s working families, and our country, will continue to be better off with Mark’s independent voice in the Senate.” Aubrie Spady is a freelance production assistant for Fox News Digital.
