Arizona governor won't name Sen. John McCain's successor until after funeral. He has only one firm criterion.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) says he won't fill the Senate seat left empty by Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) death until after McCain is buried at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland, following his funeral at Washington National Cathedral on Saturday morning. "Now is a time for remembering and honoring a consequential life well lived," Ducey spokesman Daniel Ruiz said Sunday. Ducey has to pick a Republican to serve until a special election in 2020, but other than that he has free rein to pick McCain's successor.
The names being floated include McCain's 64-year-old widow, Cindy McCain; former Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.); Ducey's chief of staff, Kirk Adams; McCain's former chief of staff Grant Woods; former Reps. John Shadegg and Matt Salmon; and recently appointed Arizona state Treasurer Eileen Klein. Arizona's GOP is pretty sharply divided, and Washington Republicans are anxious that Ducey pick a reliable vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. "Ducey's office has heard from Vice President Mike Pence's aides about the choice," a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Before McCain's funeral, he will lie in state in the Arizona State Capitol's Rotunda on Wednesday, his birthday, and there will be a memorial service at the North Phoenix Baptist Church on Thursday. McCain will then be awarded the rare honor of lying in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. According to Axios, only 30 other people have been honored that way since 1952.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published