Senator Mark Kelly's Financial Journey: From Astronaut to Potential VP Candidate
- Mark Kelly, a former astronaut, earned over a million dollars from public speaking engagements before pursuing a political career.
- His prominence as a speaker set the stage for his candidacy for the Senate, showcasing his ability to connect with audiences.
- Kelly's journey from the speaking circuit to politics highlights a common pathway for many high-profile individuals transitioning into public service.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a former NASA astronaut, has emerged as a leading contender for the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket. Before his political career, Kelly earned over $1.7 million from public speaking engagements between 2018 and 2019, captivating audiences with his experiences in space. Financial disclosures reveal that he participated in 62 speaking events during this period, often delivering multiple speeches in a single day across various states. Among the notable organizations that compensated Kelly for his speeches were the American Society of Dermatological Surgery and Chobani, with fees reaching as high as $72,250 for a single day of talks. However, he returned $55,250 earned from a speech for Pink Tank, a Dubai-based consulting firm, after it was revealed that the event was sponsored by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Kelly's campaign emphasized that his speeches focused on space experiences and U.S. space programs. In addition to his speaking fees, Kelly reported $1.5 million in income from his consulting firm, Kelly Aerospace Consulting LLC, and held multiple compensated board positions, including one with SpaceX. However, since his election to the Senate in 2020, he has largely stepped back from public speaking and board roles, with his income now primarily derived from investments and book royalties. Kelly's literary contributions include several children's books and "Gabby," co-authored with his wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, detailing her recovery from a mass shooting. His most recent financial disclosures are from 2022, with an extension requested for 2023 filings.