I’m disappointed that Kamala Harris didn’t pick Mark Kelly as her VP, but don’t expect the Arizona senator to fade into obscurity.

To the contrary, Harris’ road to the White House goes through Arizona, and Kelly will remain a key player in that journey.

Kelly came close to getting the job but, ultimately, Harris picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the dark horse candidate that emerged last week from a Democratic-leaning state that Donald Trump wants to win.

That doesn’t mean voters there or anywhere else will automatically vote the Harris ticket.

It’ll take hard and disciplined work to convince enough people in swing states like Arizona and Democratic-leaning ones like Minnesota that their future is brighter with Democrats and darker with Donald Trump and his MAGA team.

Kelly isn’t fazed about not getting the No. 2 job. In fact, he’s now free to become a Harris-Walz attack dog on his own terms.

If anything, Kelly has the chance to capitalize on the national momentum built around him as a potential running mate.

I can see him........

© Arizona Republic