As of now, it is the only debate scheduled between the two. Margins have fluctuated between 1 and 17 points, the site showed. PHOENIX (AP) - U.S. Sen. Martha McSally made just under $288,000 last year and paid an effective tax rate of 22%, according to tax returns she provided … Help … “Quite frankly, it pisses me of when he does it.”. Want more. McSally and Kelly did not shake hands. “And that is a colossal failure.”. As AZ Central reported Tuesday night, the special election could decide which party controls the Senate next year and set the tone of the Supreme Court. “There are smart ways to address this,” Kelly said. Martha Elizabeth McSally (born March 22, 1966) is an American politician and former military pilot appointed as the junior United States Senator for Arizona since 2019. If Kelly wins his special election to fill the seat held by former Sen. John McCain, a Republican who died in August 2018, he would take office by Nov. 30, narrowing the slim GOP majority further. Market data provided by Factset. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. She was appointed to his seat, and the election will decide whether she or Kelly finishes McCain’s last term. Arizona’s 2020 races have been in the national spotlight because the state is a potential tipping point for control of the Senate and the White House. “This should be given some thoughtful consideration,” Kelly said. She deflected repeated questions about whether she’s proud to support Trump or would have been proud to serve under him during her Air Force career. Many view the Arizona Senate race -- and Kelly's stance on Barrett -- as nationally significant. In-person early voting begins Wednesday and election officials around the state will begin dropping absentee ballots in the mail the same day. Sen. McSally beat out her long-shot opponent in this year's primary election. “These are the issues Arizonans care about,” Kelly said. When asked if she was proud of her support for President Donald Trump, McSally said she’s proud of what she’s done to help Arizonans by putting legislation on his desk, and she’s proud to be fighting for Arizonans. The faceoff provided McSally a much-needed chance to gain ground on Kelly, who has consistently led the race in polling and fundraising, just before voters begin casting ballots. "Senator McSally has worked incredibly hard over the last five years to eliminate or undermine protections for pre-existing conditions through legislation," Kelly charged, referring to a popular provision of Obamacare that bars insurance companies from refusing coverage because of applicants' previously diagnosed medical conditions. As of now, it is the only debate scheduled between the two. He also called for independent leadership to help the situation. “You have somebody who’s been a fighter for you and will continue to be a fighter for Arizona, or a counterfeit who will enable the radical left and their agenda to be forced on us.”. “Border security is national security, and we should not have to choose between supporting our military and securing our border — so I’m for both,” McSally said. McSally said that China is America’s biggest geopolitical threat. The incumbent had been seeking as many as seven debates, but the challenger has agreed to only one so far. McSally said Kelly was “trying to say basically nothing to get elected.”. All rights reserved. And, the reason is: It's this case about pre-existing conditions and the Affordable Care Act.". Her effective tax rate ranged from 18.8% in 2018 to 22% in 2019. All rights reserved. Contact senator Martha McSally of Arizona. PHOENIX — Republican Sen. Martha McSally and Democratic challenger Mark Kelly met Tuesday in what's likely to be the only debate of the race between the two combat veterans. She pointed to helping to pass the CARES Act and said President Donald Trump has helped the American people. ", 5 THINGS TO WATCH IN FIRST VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE TONIGHT BETWEEN PENCE, HARRIS, A favorable verdict on the Obamacare lawsuit before the high court would "take away those protections for 2.8 million Arizonans, potentially," he added, with as many as 1 million losing their insurance. "That's not the leadership we need in Washington, D.C. right now.". (Arizona Clean Elections Photos), Senate opponents McSally, Kelly take to stage Tuesday for debate, Mark Kelly says virus, economic crises in Arizona fueled by McSally faults, Mark Kelly, Martha McSally affirm their support of gun rights, Martha McSally slams Mark Kelly's connections to China in debate, October is sexual and domestic violence awareness month, Trump vows not to participate in virtual debate with Biden, Fry's Food Stores opening another new Gilbert location next month, Pence, Harris invoke Arizona's Kayla Mueller during vice presidential debate. But she did offer a rare criticism of the president for his repeated comments critical of the late Sen. John McCain, the beloved Arizona Republican who died in 2018. Sen. Martha McSally, challenger Mark Kelly to debate next week, ABC/Washington Post polls bring good news for Trump, McSally in Arizona, Mark Kelly doubles lead on Martha McSally in Senate race poll, Senate candidate Mark Kelly sees bipartisanship as politics' best hope, Sen. McSally believes challenger Mark Kelly is afraid to debate her, October is sexual and domestic violence awareness month, Trump vows not to participate in virtual debate with Biden, Fry's Food Stores opening another new Gilbert location next month, Pence, Harris invoke Arizona's Kayla Mueller during vice presidential debate. Republicans argue that Trump was elected president for four years, not three. He said the wall makes sense in some parts, but technology can play a bigger role than it currently does. McSally also attacked Kelly for ties to China, noting he spoke fondly of several trips to the communist nation and co-founded a company that received an investment from a Chinese firm. McSally then asked Kelly flat out: "Would you vote 'yes' or 'no' on Judge Barrett? Arizona open and hiring: If you’re looking for job openings, visit ktar.com/arizonahiring. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Following closing arguments, McSally challenges Kelly to three additional debates around Arizona, but he said he’s looking forward to the debate on Univision next week. She also highlighted the risk of Democrats "packing" the high court, a move some party members have backed if they gain a majority in Congress after the GOP confirms Barrett. Kelly said it’s “not acceptable” to support Trump and he intends to focus on issues that affect Arizonans. Kelly indicated that health care is an important topic for him because of his with Gabby Giffords. PHOENIX — Arizona Republican Sen. Martha McSally and Democratic challenger Mark Kelly squared off in a 90-minute debate tonight. He didn’t hold his punches, saying McSally sat by while Trump squandered time to respond aggressively to the pandemic and help people through the economic fallout. PHOENIX - A big debate is taking place in Phoenix on the night of Oct. 6 in Arizona's closely-watched Senate special election. MCSALLY TRADES JABS WITH KELLY AHEAD OF CRITICAL ARIZONA SENATE DEBATE, "I will always protect people with pre-existing conditions, and Democrats and Republicans agree about that," she stated, arguing that the Supreme Court fight is less about Barrett and more about a liberal-led initiative to appoint "activist judges.". "That didn't work. Kelly said not everyone has access to the kind of health care that his wife had. Continuing Coverage McSally and the GOP are trying to hold the seat she was appointed to after Sen. John McCain’s 2018 death, but polls have shown Kelly with a consistent lead. “Law abiding citizens deserve to keep their ability to defend their family and defend their own lives,” McSally said. Harris' past remarks resurface after claiming Biden WH wouldn't issue ban, Biden on Trump saying he won't do a virtual debate: 'You never know what's going to come out of his mouth', Republican National Committee launches $60 million voting initiative, Biden, Harris, Pence travel to Arizona after vice presidential debate; Trump returns to Oval Office. Market data provided by Factset. Kelly has repeatedly declined to say whether he’d vote for Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, to be majority leader if his party takes control of the Senate. #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/Vp1brPY62k, — Dr. Kelli Ward (@kelliwardaz) October 7, 2020. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5)-- With less than a month left in the election, several new polls released Wednesday show Sen. Martha McSally trailing her … “Anywhere on the planet where we leave a vacuum, China is going to step into it. For any inquiries, please contact us via support@contactsenators.com. We're within 30 days of the election, and Senator McSally wants to rush through a lifetime appointment. Other winners in the November election won’t take office until January. PHOENIX — Senator Martha McSally and her challenger, Democratic nominee Mark Kelly held their first debate Tuesday night heading into the 2020 election. The couple went on to found an advocacy group, now known simply as Giffords, that works around the country to advance gun-control laws such as a universal background check requirement. He presented himself, as he has throughout the campaign, as an independent voice uninterested in partisan politics. After retiring, she was elected to the U.S. House from the district once represented by Giffords, repeatedly eking out narrow victories in a closely matched district. “They’re stealing our technology, they’re building islands where they didn’t exist in the south China sea and militarizing them, but ultimately Americans are now awaken because they’ve unleashed this virus on the world and then we realized that we’re relying on our PPE from China,” McSally said. McSally and Kelly took the stage at Arizona PBS for the only scheduled debate for the Senate race in Arizona. Throughout the campaign McSally has carefully avoided criticizing Trump, who maintains overwhelming support within her Republican base but is unpopular with many of the more moderate voters who will decide the election. Democratic challenger Mark Kelly prepares to debate U.S. Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism in Phoenix, Ariz., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. McSally fought to pierce Kelly’s independent image and yoke him to the left wing of the Democratic Party. Go Martha, WIN! For the first and apparently only time, U.S. Senate rivals Martha McSally and Mark Kelly will meet face-to-face Tuesday night for a televised debate. The three presidential debates will be carried live on KTAR New 92.3 FM, KTAR.com and the KTAR News app. ©2020 FOX News Network, LLC. PHOENIX — Arizona Republican Sen. Martha McSally and Democratic challenger Mark Kelly squared off in a 90-minute debate tonight.