Mark Kelly Backs Another Hegseth Foe In Latest Endorsement Push

The senator will deploy his cash and clout to back 10 military veterans, including a former Navy officer fired by the defense secretary.

Sen. Mark Kelly

Sen. Mark Kelly plans to use his profile and war chest to boost military veterans. Tom Williams/AP

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s attacks have boosted Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly’s profile and war chest. Now he will use both to back Nancy Lacore, a former vice admiral who’s running for Congress after Hegseth fired her.

Kelly’s political operation plans to announce Wednesday that it will support Lacore among 10 military veteran candidates in competitive House races, highlighting the Arizona senator’s growing national influence that has fueled speculation about a potential 2028 White House run.

The new endorsements also unite two veterans who say they have become targets of the Trump administration’s efforts to politicize the military.