Gov. Doug Ducey expected to move quickly on appointing a John McCain replacement
During the year that followed U.S. Sen. John McCain's brain-cancer diagnosis, Gov. Doug Ducey quashed any public discussion of a succession plan for the ailing senator.
But with the late senator now laid to rest at the U.S. Naval Academy, Ducey is expected to move quickly to appoint McCain's Republican replacement.
“What we’re going to do first is go through all the proper services and ceremonies,” the governor said last week in a radio interview with KTAR News 92.3. “John McCain will be laid to rest fittingly on Sunday ... And after that, we’ll get to work.”
Will the governor pick someone in the mold of the late senator, who was at times willing to defy Republican leadership and work across party lines?
Will he name a political outsider like President Donald Trump, whose populist agenda and style have captured the hearts of Republican-base voters who disdained McCain?
Or will he name a successor who might satisfy both factions of the state's splintered GOP, such as someone respected in Arizona's business or military communities?
The governor’s selection will be measured against McCain and considered a reflection of Ducey's values and priorities.
"This will be the most monumental decision this governor has made to date and maybe for the rest of his governorship," said Doug Cole, a longtime Republican strategist.
"You’re replacing John McCain, who is basically irreplaceable. And you’ve got a very closely divided Senate, where every vote counts."
'What would John McCain do?'
It is unclear how — or if — the late senator, his widow, Cindy, or McCain surrogates have influenced Ducey's decision.
Neither McCain nor his family has given any public indication of the successor they'd like to see appointed or the attributes they want that person to have.
The governor said in the KTAR interview last week that, throughout the planning for the late senator’s memorials in Phoenix, he and his administration returned to one central question: “What would John McCain do in this situation?”
Cindy McCain, 64, a philanthropist, businesswoman, military mom, and grandmother, is one potential choice to fill the seat of her husband of 38 years. She could represent the senator's legacy while pursuing her own priorities, such as fighting human trafficking.
Maj. Gen. Michael McGuire, who has an impressive military background, is another potential pick.
He is the state's military commander as the Adjutant General and the Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. He spent 26 years as an F-16 pilot in the Air Force and Guard, and previously led the 162nd Fighter Wing, based in Tucson.
Other possible candidates include:
- Eileen Klein, the former president of the Arizona Board of Regents whom Ducey appointed as state treasurer in April.
- Kirk Adams, Ducey's chief of staff who runs the governor's day-to-day operations.
- Barbara Barrett, a business executive and the first Republican woman to run for governor in Arizona.
- Michael Bidwill, the president of the Arizona Cardinals and longtime Ducey ally who went to prep school with Judge Brett Kavanaugh, Trump's Supreme Court nominee.
- Jon Kyl, a former three-term senator and mentor to Ducey.
- Former congressmen John Shadegg and Matt Salmon.
'Navigating the political waters'
Cole, the GOP strategist, said Ducey "has a pretty defined track record of how he approaches these things," calling the governor's past appointments "carefully planned and calculated."
"The governor’s done a good job of navigating the political waters between the Trump followers versus the more traditional, establishment Republican followers," he said. "I’m confident that he will continue to express that political adroitness in this major decision."
Ducey's candidate pool will vary depending on whether he wants to appoint a "caretaker" or someone with aspirations to hold the seat long-term, Cole said.
If it's the latter, Ducey will likely "look for someone forward-looking … that has the desire and the life experience to stand for election in 2020," he said. "That person would also have to have the ability to raise an immense amount of money, because these are multimillion-dollar races."
Lisa James, a consultant who spent years in Republican politics, said Ducey "clearly admired John McCain" and will likely "look for the best balance he can" in terms of satisfying conservatives of different stripes.
"I think he also understands he needs to do what’s best for our state," she said. "There are serious issues going on right now, so I think he’s going to look for someone who will put the interests of Arizona first."
James mentioned water, land-use issues and Native American relations as key policy concerns, saying Ducey “would want someone who could enter in those conversations ready to go.”
Arizona Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Glenn Hamer said it's "clear that the governor and his entire administration understand the gravity" of replacing McCain.
"Knowing both the senator and Gov. Ducey, they both have the same work ethic and the same understanding of the importance of public service," said Hamer, who previously served as the director of the Arizona Republican Party.
"I’m confident that the pick will be a pick that the people of Arizona will feel comfortable with, but will also do justice and honor to Sen. McCain’s memory and legacy."
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