Kelly visits McCain’s grave a day before assuming his U.S. Senate seat

PHOENIX — A day before being sworn into the U.S. Senate, Mark Kelly visited the grave of John McCain, the longtime senator from Arizona whose seat he is assuming.

Kelly and his family paid their respects to McCain on Tuesday at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland.

“This morning my family paid our respects to Senator John McCain as I prepare to be sworn in tomorrow,” Kelly said in a tweet.

“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.”

Kelly, a Democrat, is scheduled to be sworn in Wednesday at noon Arizona time.

Kelly doesn’t have to wait until January to start his new job because voters chose him to fill out McCain’s term in a special election.

He defeated Republican Martha McSally, who was appointed to McCain’s seat in January 2019 following his death in August 2018, in the Nov. 3 election.

The result gives Arizona two Democratic senators for the first time since 1953.

Kyrsten Sinema, the state’s senior senator, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad that she will escort Kelly on Wednesday when he’s sworn in.

The event is scheduled to occur at noon Arizona time, according to Sinema.

“I’m looking forward to having a very productive relationship where we get a lot done for Arizona,” Sinema said.

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