Martha McSally to fill McCain Senate seat after losing race

U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., waits to speak during a news conference Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, at the Capitol in Phoenix, where Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, rear, announced his decision to replace U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. with McSally in the U.S. Senate seat that belonged to Sen. John McCain. McSally will take over after Kyl's resignation becomes effective Dec. 31. (AP Photo/Matt York) U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., waits to speak during a news conference Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, at the Capitol in Phoenix, where Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, rear, announced his decision to replace U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. with McSally in the U.S. Senate seat that belonged to Sen. John McCain. McSally will take over after Kyl's resignation becomes effective Dec. 31. (AP Photo/Matt York)

By Associated Press December 18, 2018 4 min read

PHOENIX (AP) – Arizona’s governor on Tuesday appointed U.S. Rep. Martha McSally to replace Sen. Jon Kyl in the seat that belonged to the late John McCain, sending the GOP congresswoman back to Washington just a month after she lost a tight race for the state’s other spot in the Senate.

McSally, a former air force colonel, lost to Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema in November after a bruising contest in which she contended Sinema committed “treason” by making anti-war remarks in 2003. Now, McSally will join the Senate the same day that Sinema is sworn in.

“Arizona needs someone who understands the critical issues, can get to work on day one, and who embodies the spirit of service,” Gov. Doug Ducey said at a press conference.

The governor said Sinema will be sworn in first on Jan. 3 when the Senate reconvenes after the holidays, making her Arizona’s senior senator and its first woman in the chamber.

“I’m going to respect the will of the voters,” Ducey said.