Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R), who is tasked with replacing the late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), has many considerations to weigh while choosing a successor, not the least of which is his own political future.
According to a Wednesday Politico report, Ducey has been careful about getting too close to President Donald Trump, showing up on issues like the border, but keeping some distance from the President as he faces a challenging reelection in the fall.
Ducey has said that he will not announce McCain’s replacement until the late senator’s burial. However, that assertion has not stopped the rumors from flying.
One name that has reportedly come up is Maj. Gen. Michael McGuire, a career pilot who is also adjutant general for the state. Per Politico, he has a solid reputation and some think that his military background will make him an adequate replacement for McCain who is still palatable to Trump’s base.
Other names on the whispered list are McCain’s wife Cindy and former Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), both of whom were considered interim possibilities if McCain passed away before May 30 and triggered a special election in this year’s midterms.
A big consideration for Ducey, alongside his own neck, is picking a replacement solid enough that he or she can hold the seat in a 2020 reelection and not give Democrats another opening to gain power. This is a big red flag with Cindy McCain, who, along with having largely unknown personal politics, would not be expected to run again.
Trump has, for now, heeded his aides’ advice to stay out of the replacement conversation.
