The successor to the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., 81, will be appointed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, The Washington Post reports, and Newsmax's John Gizzi speculates widow Cindy McCain might be the pick.
Sen. McCain succumbed to brain cancer Saturday night, and since his death came after the deadline to file for the November midterms, his replacement will hold a seat in Senate until 2020.
Newsmax's Gizzi tweeted "betting is strong he'll tap Cindy McCain."
"Also unkind to discuss [Sunday] but sure to come up early next week is Arizona Gov. Ducey's naming of successor to Sen. McCain – 1st time in AS history a governor has done this," Gizzi tweeted. "Betting is strong he'll tap Cindy McCain to fill out term 'til 2020."
Among the others under consideration, according to the Post, were: Gov. Ducey's chief of staff, Kirk Adams; State Treasurer Eileen Klein; former congressman John Shadegg; and former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl.
Arizona law states the appointment must be made in the same political party as McCain.
Ducey, who is up for re-election this November himself, would not nominate himself, his spokesman reportedly previously told the Post.
Arizona's primary vote is Tuesday, as Rep. Martha McSally, former state senator Kelli Ward, and former Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio are battling for the GOP Senate nomination to replace retiring Sen. Jeff Flake – likely against Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.
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