Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) congratulated her husband, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), on Wednesday as he was sworn into office.
Giffords, who was with other family members in the gallery overlooking the chamber as Kelly was sworn in Wednesday afternoon, marked the occasion by posting a photo of her own swearing-in ceremony in 2007.
“You were by my side when I took my oath of office nearly 14 years ago. I’m so excited to be by yours today as you’re sworn in as our next Arizona Senator,” wrote Giffords.
Kelly is assuming office after defeating former Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) last month. McSally was appointed to the seat following the death of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Kelly’s win, along with President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in Arizona, marked a further shift for the state that has historically voted Republican.
Giffords resigned from Congress in 2012 being shot in the head at an event in Arizona in 2011 and suffering a brain injury. Despite leaving office, Giffords has remained politically active, becoming a staunch advocate for gun safety and pushing gun legislation through her and Kelly’s advocacy group, Giffords.
Giffords spoke at the 2020 Democratic National Convention in August, where she gave a speech calling for an end to gun violence.
“Words once came easily. Today I struggle to speak. But I have not lost my voice. America needs all of us to speak out, even when you have to fight to find the words. We are at a crossroads,” said Giffords. During her speech, she said by electing Biden, voters could be on the “right side of history.”
On Monday, Giffords joined Kelly along with his daughter Claire to visit McCain’s grave in Maryland and placed a wreath on it. Kelly has expressed admiration for McCain in the past, despite their differing political ideologies, saying he looked up to McCain growing up.