Democrat Mark Kelly’s Millions Raise Questions for Arizona Voters 

A new report from the Arizona Republic provides a detailed look at how Mark Kelly has raked in millions of dollars through controversial paid speaking gigs, “business with Chinese interests,” participation in “a marketing strategy criticized as sexist” and financial connections to “businesses with records at odds with his own on environmental conservation.” While Kelly hides in Chuck Schumer’s “windowless basement” and refuses to debate Martha McSally, voters haven’t had a full picture of how he will do anything to make a buck.  

Some of the key takeaways from the piece:

• Net worth between $10 million and $27 million. “By 2019, when Kelly filed his first financial disclosures as a candidate, the information showed he was worth between $10 million and $27 million, an amount that would make him among the wealthiest people in Congress at the time.”
• Controversial speaking engagements. “He reported about $1.9 million in income for 64 speeches since January 2018…In some cases, his speeches also brought controversy.”
• Shady financial deals. “Along the way, Kelly did business with Chinese interests, participated in a marketing strategy criticized as sexist, and sometimes had financial ties to businesses with records at odds with his own on environmental conservation.”
• Questions raised around potential conflicts of interest. “Kelly’s speeches to corporations raise questions about whether he is beholden to companies with big business interests in Washington. Several of the groups that paid Kelly also lobby Capitol Hill, such as yogurt-maker Chobani, the American Medical Group Association and consumer credit reporting company Experian.”

Mark Kelly doesn’t highlight his business record during his campaign because these investments, board seats, and paid speaking gigs have become his biggest liability.