Together again. Martha McSally, right, will join Kyrsten Sinema as Arizona’s Senator as she was appointed Tuesday to fulfill former Sen. John McCain’s seat until the 2020 election.
By Jon Johnson
PHOENIX – After losing her election bid to the U.S. Senate, Martha McSally – R, will still serve as Arizona’s senator after she was announced as Governor Doug Ducey’s appointment Tuesday.
McSally will serve two years of former Sen. John McCain’s term until
U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl had held the seat since being initially appointed by Ducey after McCain’s death but recently resigned. Kyl had previously advised he would serve the position until the session of Congress and did not desire to continue for the entire cycle until 2020. Ducey was required by law to appoint someone of the same party as McCain.
“All her life, Martha has put service first — leading in the toughest of fights and at the toughest of times,” said Governor Ducey in a press release. “She served 26 years in the military; deployed six times to the Middle East and Afghanistan; was the first woman to fly in combat and command a fighter squadron in combat; and she’s represented Southern Arizona in Congress for the past four years. With her experience and long record of service, Martha is uniquely qualified to step up and fight for Arizona’s interests in the U.S. Senate. I thank her for taking on this significant responsibility and look forward to working with her and Senator-Elect Sinema to get positive things done.”
“Over the last year, I’ve traveled across this great state, meeting with countless Arizonans, and listening to them,” said Representative McSally. “I’ve heard about the challenges they face and the hopes they have for the future – and I’ve learned a lot. I am humbled and grateful to have this opportunity to serve and be a voice for all Arizonans. I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Kyrsten Sinema and getting to work from day one.”
“Because she currently represents Arizona in the US Congress, Martha McSally certainly has the knowledge and experience to represent our State in the Senate,” said Senator Jon Kyl. “Moreover, she is highly energetic, smart and committed to finding practical solutions to problems facing our State and Nation. She is an excellent choice.”
Kyl’s resignation is effective at the end of the year, and McSally will begin her term Jan. 1.
Kirsten Sinema – D, became Arizona’s first female Senator after she beat McSally in the November election. Now, Arizona will be represented by an unprecedented two female senators.
McSally released a statement implying that she would work hand-in-hand with Sinema, despite her previous campaign rhetoric against her.
“I am humbled and grateful to have this opportunity to serve and be a voice for all Arizonans,” McSally said. “I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Kyrsten Sinema and getting to work from day one.”
