Sen. Mark Kelly has raised $1M for Arizona Democrats this cycle

Sen. Mark Kelly is packing his war chest and boosting Arizona Democrats ahead of the November midterm election.

Kelly has raised or contributed $1 million for fellow Arizona Democrats this election cycle, according to his campaign.

Arizona’s senior senator is focused on helping Democrats win back the majority in November, his campaign said. He plans to stump for Democrats in Arizona at the end of the month, after the July 21 primary.

“Mark knows that winning back the majority is the only way we can bring down costs and hold this administration accountable – and that majority runs through Arizona,” Marisol Samayoa, senior communications adviser to the Kelly campaign, said in a written statement. “It’s why he’s translating his grassroots energy into raising over $1 million in Arizona to power the party and is campaigning with candidates in competitive races to ensure Democrats win this November.”

The financial boost could also help Kelly develop the allies he’d need for a possible presidential bid in 2028.

Cash for Hobbs, congressional candidates

Kelly has raised more than $250,000 for Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs’ reelection bid, Samayoa said. He also raised more than $150,000 for the Arizona Democratic Party and $100,000 for the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.

Kelly raised the money through fundraising events, direct contributions, digital fundraising and bundling, Samayoa said. In May, Kelly spoke at the annual Gabby Giffords Gala benefiting the Arizona Democratic Party, for example.

Kelly is also putting cash into a pair of Arizona congressional races. Kelly boosted swing-district Democrat JoAnna Mendoza, who is challenging Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Arizona, with $80,000.

Kelly also invested $66,000 to help Jonathan Nez, the Democrat challenging Rep. Eli Crane, R-Arizona, Samayoa said.

$24.3M in campaign war chest

Kelly continued raising money in the second quarter of the year, though his fundraising has slowed since his battle with the Pentagon turbocharged his political donations earlier in the year.

Kelly will report raising $5.5 million this spring, according to his campaign. The fundraising quarter began April 1 and ended June 30.

Kelly had $24.3 million in his campaign war chest at the end of June, funds that could give him an edge if he enters what’s likely to be a jam-packed presidential primary field in 2028.

For example, another rumored possible presidential candidate, Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, reported $22.6 million on hand as of May 13. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, reported $16 million in cash on hand at the beginning of June.

Kelly’s campaign highlighted his small-dollar donors, saying 98% of contributions to his campaign were under $100 and 90% were under $50.

In addition to his campaign account, Kelly raised nearly $150,000 for Liftoff PAC, the leadership PAC he can use to boost other candidates. Liftoff PAC ended the second quarter with $173,000 in cash on hand.

While Kelly still raised a significant sum, especially for a lawmaker not facing reelection until 2028, his haul was less than half the $13 million he raised in the first quarter of 2026.

Kelly had also raised $12.5 million in the final three months of 2025, which may have set a quarterly fundraising record for senators not facing reelection during an off-year period.

Kelly received an outpouring of financial support when the Pentagon said it would investigate him after he participated in a video reminding service members they do not have to follow illegal orders.

Kelly raised so much cash that the Democratic National Committee credited him for a standout grassroots fundraising month in January.