Sen. John McCain tweeted July 20 he plans on returning to work as soon as possible following his cancer diagnosis.
If Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona cannot fulfill his duties in the Senate following the announcement that he has been diagnosed with cancer, the path to replace him is clear.
McCain is six months into his sixth term. If he cannot finish that term, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey will appoint someone to fill the seat until the next general election.
That person would have to be from the same party as McCain: Republican. The appointee later will have to run in the general election if they want to continue in office.
Former Arizona Elections Director Joseph Kanefield is an attorney specializing in election law. He said the reason for the short term for appointed representatives is simple.
“[The] general policy of the state of Arizona, going back to statehood, is that our elected leaders should be, in fact, elected,” he said.
If McCain leaves office this year, the election for his replacement will be 2018. The winner will serve four years, or the remainder of McCain’s term.
The 2018 election cycle already features the re-election campaign of Sen. Jeff Flake.
McCain tweeted on Thursday he plans to be back to work soon.
No Arizona governor has appointed someone to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat.
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