Martha McSally has what it takes to be a senator. Mark Kelly doesn't, former astronauts say

Opinion: Being an astronaut doesn't make you a good senator. Martha McSally has the grit and the bipartisan record to continue representing Arizona well.

Tom Stafford, Charlie Duke and Jack Lousma

opinion contributors

As former fighter pilots and test pilots, we know what it takes to get in the cockpit of a fighter jet for a test flight or combat: incredible determination, strength and grit.

That’s why we support Sen. Martha McSally. As the first woman in U.S. history to fly a fighter jet in combat and command a fighter squadron, she broke barriers in the Air Force and the military.

We remember a not-so-distant past when the Air Force wouldn’t let women fly in combat. Instead of sitting down accepting the status quo, McSally stood up, fought for change and made strides for generations of women to follow her.

"Integrity first, Service before self, Excellence in all we do." That Air Force motto guided McSally's time in uniform and embodies the way she continues to serve our country by representing Arizona in the Senate.

McSally has a record of bipartianship, results

McSally delivered results for Arizona. Just look at the stats:

She was ranked as one of the most bipartisan senators last year and tied for the most bills passed into law. Just this year, she introduced legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, started the national Veterans Treatment Courts to help improve the lives of veterans, and she helped write the legislation that gave families and small businesses help to get through the novel coronavirus.

Whether it’s helping secure funds for Fort Huachuca, leading on the Drought Contingency Plan or getting Congress to pass land exchanges that give local control back to Arizona, Martha springs into action when her constituents reach out to her with a problem.

While Martha’s record of accomplishments is long and well-documented, her opponent’s positions are largely unknown.

Just like Mark Kelly, we were astronauts. We know what it takes to climb aboard a spacecraft, we’ve done it many times. We’ve flown in the Gemini and Apollo projects, walked on the moon, and combined we’ve spent many days in space. As astronauts and veterans, we honor the service of every single American who has served their country alongside us.

'Astronaut' can't hide Kelly's leftist agenda

But having "astronaut" on your resume does not mean you’d be a good U.S. senator. Mark Kelly is hoping Arizonans are so impressed with his background that they ignore the fact that he’s supported radical gun control activists, that his plan for the eventual government takeover of health care would end Medicare as we know it, and that he’d vote to raise our taxes.

Tom Stafford is a former NASA astronaut, Air Force test pilot and deputy chief of staff for research, development and acquisition. Charlie Duke is a former astronaut and USAF test pilot. Jack Lousma was pilot of the Skylab 3 Space Station mission and commander of the third space shuttle orbital test flight.

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