After John McCain died from brain cancer, pundits wondered who would replace him.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey will select a replacement in the coming days.
And there is one name on the list that is bad news for Donald Trump.
A Short List Emerges
For months, reporters have been guessing who Ducey would pick to replace McCain.
Arizona law states that McCain’s replacement must come from his party, so Ducey will need to select a Republican.
But which Republican remains an open question.
Experts floated some familiar names like former state treasurer Jeff DeWit, former Congressman Matt Salmon, and former Senator Jon Kyl.
McCain’s replacement will run in a special election in 2020 to serve out the final two years of McCain’s term, then run for re-election in 2020.
That’s why this pick is so important.
Not only will the new Senator have to vote for Trump’s agenda, but they also must be a conservative who can hold the seat.
Conservatives Outraged By One Name
John McCain’s wife Cindy had sent out signals she was interested in replacing her husband.
Republicans were furious at that thought.
Cindy McCain supports abortion and homosexual marriage.
She is even more liberal than her late husband.
If Ducey selects McCain’s wife, it will end two political careers.
First of all, Ducey will put his re-election at risk.
The governor needs conservatives to win in November.
“If Ducey were to pick Cindy McCain, it would be suicidal for his reelection chances. His base would just go crazy,” an Arizona Republican told Politico.
If Ducey picks McCain, he risks conservatives staying home.
In addition, McCain would lose a Republican primary in 2020.
One Republican told Politico, “The governor needs to pick somebody who’s conservative enough to get through a tough primary against someone who can raise a lot of money.”
“If I’m the White House, and I’m thinking down the road, I want someone who makes Arizona not something to worry about,” the Republican said.
Conservatives want a Trump ally to replace McCain.
Ducey picking Cindy McCain would be a slap in the face to Arizona Republicans.
Her husband feuded with Donald Trump right up until his passing, and experts believe Cindy McCain would pick up this fight were it left off.
Ducey’s Likely Move
However, pundits do not expect Ducey to name Cindy McCain to fill her husband’s seat.
The political cost is too high.
They believe Ducey will name a conservative who will be loyal to Trump and be able to hold the Senate seat.
Media outlets have reported that Ducey may choose Michael McGuire, who is a military pilot and state official.
Ducey would please Trump supporters and honor McCain’s military service by picking McGuire.
Although, no one knows who Ducey will actually pick.
Ducey has hidden his thoughts on the matter because he is running in a Republican primary.
His pro-Trump challenger made Ducey selecting Cindy McCain a campaign issue.
Ducey will likely make his pick after McCain is buried on Friday.
We will keep you up to date on any new developments in this story.
