In an interview with CNN, Arizona Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego expressed his support for Sen. Mark Kelly as a strong candidate to run alongside Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic presidential ticket. Gallego believes that Kelly's addition would provide a much-needed boost for the party as they prepare for the November election and face off against former President Trump.

Gallego highlighted several reasons why Kelly would be a great choice for the ticket. As a border state senator and an astronaut married to former Rep. Gabby Giffords, Kelly possesses a unique understanding of border issues and has a compelling life story. Gallego believes that Kelly's combination of expertise and experiences would resonate with Democratic voters across the country.

Gallego, who is currently running for Senate against Republican candidate Kari Lake, holds a 3.4 percentage point lead in recent polls, according to the RealClearPolitics average. His endorsement of Kelly adds to the growing support for the senator within the Democratic party.

Following President Biden's announcement that he would no longer seek the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, he endorsed Harris as his successor. Harris has since taken over Biden's campaign and has secured the support of enough delegates to claim the Democratic National Committee (DNC) nomination. Her team is now in the process of vetting several potential running mates, including Kelly, as well as North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

Kelly's Democratic colleagues in the Senate have also spoken highly of him. Sen. Tim Kaine, the party's 2016 vice presidential nominee, referred to Kelly as a "superb" choice for Harris. Sen. Richard Blumenthal praised Kelly's depth, wisdom, and ability to grasp complex issues quickly.

Being from the battleground state of Arizona, Kelly could potentially assist Harris in securing western states and provide credibility on border issues, which he has described as a "crisis." Additionally, Kelly's career as a Navy pilot and astronaut, along with his background as the spouse of a shooting survivor and his advocacy for gun control reforms, could strengthen the Democratic ticket.

A recent national poll conducted after Biden's announcement showed a close contest between Harris and Trump. Trump garnered 46% support among registered voters, while Harris stood at 45% support. With only a one-point difference and a sampling error of the survey, the race remains highly competitive.

As Harris's team continues vetting potential running mates, Kelly's endorsement by Rep. Ruben Gallego adds yet another voice in support of the senator's suitability for the role. The decision on Harris's running mate will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Democratic campaign leading up to the November election.