2016 United States Senate election in Arizona explained

See also: 2016 United States Senate elections.

Election Name:	2016 United States Senate election in Arizona
Country:	Arizona
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2010 United States Senate election in Arizona
Previous Year:	2010
Next Election:	2020 United States Senate special election in Arizona
Next Year:	2020 (special)
Election Date:	November 8, 2016
Image1:	File:John McCain official portrait 2009 (cropped 2).jpg
Nominee1:	John McCain
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	1,359,267
Percentage1:	53.71%
Nominee2:	Ann Kirkpatrick
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	1,031,245
Percentage2:	40.75%
Image3:	File:Gary swing.jpg
Nominee3:	Gary Swing
Party3:	Green Party of the United States
Popular Vote3:	138,634
Percentage3:	5.48%
U.S. Senator
Before Election:	John McCain
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	John McCain
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)

The 2016 United States Senate election in Arizona was held on November 8, 2016, to elect a member of the U.S. Senate to represent the State of Arizona, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, other elections to the U.S. Senate in other states and elections to the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as various state and local elections.

The Democratic primary was held on March 22, 2016, while the Republican primary election took place on August 30, 2016.^[1] After serving in the Arizona State Legislature and U.S. House of Representatives for a number of years, Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick sought to unseat incumbent Republican senator John McCain, who won re-election to his sixth and final term in office.

After hinting in September 2013 that he could retire,^[2] McCain subsequently said that the chances he would run again were "pretty good", but his campaign had emphasized that he had not made a decision yet.^[3] On April 7, 2015, he announced that he would run for re-election.^[4] McCain faced strong primary opposition from the Tea Party, but he ultimately defeated challenger Kelli Ward in the August 30 primary.^{[5] [6]}

McCain won with 53.7% of the vote compared to Kirkpatrick's 40.8%, with 5.5% voting for the Green candidate Gary Swing. Although McCain won reelection by double digits, this was the closest margin of his Senate career. It was also his first election in which he failed to win the traditionally Democratic counties of Coconino and Pima., this was the last time Republicans won a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona. Kirkpatrick would later successfully run again for the U.S. House of Representatives in Arizona's 2nd congressional district in 2018 and 2020.

Republican primary

John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, was re-elected to a fifth term with 59.3% of the vote in 2010. In September 2013 he hinted that he might retire, saying that "[President Obama's] in his last term, I'm probably in mine." When asked if that meant he wouldn't run for re-election, he said, "I don't know. I was trying to make a point. I have to decide in about two years so I don't have to make a decision [now]. I don't want to be one of these old guys that should've shoved off."^[2] He then said in October 2013 that he was "seriously thinking" about running for re-election.^[7] By April 2014 he had held his first fundraiser^[8] and acknowledged that "elements on the right" would like to primary him, which he said was "fine with me... you know me: a fight not joined is a fight not enjoyed... I know that I will be very well-prepared." Jennifer Duffy of The Cook Political Report noted that McCain did not fit the profile of a "complacent, long-serving incumbent", saying: "It's not an easy thing to take him on. He is going to be well-prepared, and he has a well-earned reputation for running really tough campaigns. He raises a lot of money and he puts together a good organization."^[9]

In September 2014, McCain began having "serious conversations" with state Republicans, local officials and key supporters about running for re-election. He faced a primary challenge in 2010 from former Congressman J. D. Hayworth, who some felt was the weaker opponent. McCain massively outspent and easily defeated him. However, he could face a stronger challenger in 2016.^[5] A survey by Public Policy Polling in March 2014 found that McCain was the most unpopular Senator in the country, with 30% of Arizonans approving of him to 54% who disapproved. His unpopularity was bipartisan, with his approvals at 35%–55% with Republicans, 29%–53% with Democrats and 25%–55% with independents.^[10] An April 2014 survey by The Polling Company for Citizens United Political Victory Fund found that 64.2% of Republican primary voters favored "a new person" to 29.3% who thought that "Senator McCain deserves to be re-elected to another six-year term." It also found him trailing in match-ups with a generic primary opponent and against specific opponents (see below).^[11]

Further compounding matters for McCain was his relationship with the Arizona Republican Party.^[5] After his re-election in 2010, McCain adopted more orthodox conservative stances and attitudes and largely opposed actions of the Obama administration. By 2013, however, he had become a key figure in the Senate for negotiating deals on certain issues in an otherwise partisan environment. By early 2014, McCain's apostasies were enough that the Arizona Republican Party formally censured him for having what they saw as a liberal record that had been "disastrous and harmful". The action had no practical effect but showed that McCain's history of being criticized at the state level as insufficiently conservative was still ongoing.^[12] Tea Party leaders have said that they are "sick to death" of McCain and will oppose him if he seeks re-election,^[5] with one prominent critic of McCain saying that Arizona conservatives were preparing for a "civil war".^[6] However, McCain still had a large warchest – $1.7 million as of June 2014 – and would be helped by Arizona state law, which allows independents to vote in the Republican primary.^[5]

By early October 2014, McCain was telling reporters that the odds of his running for re-election were "pretty good", saying that whether or not Republicans retake control of the Senate in the 2014 elections would be a factor in his decision-making, "but it certainly wouldn't be the deciding factor."^[6] In late October, it was revealed that McCain had scheduled a meeting with supporters two days after the 2014 midterm elections to "discuss my thoughts on my own re-election in 2016."^[3] At that meeting, following the Republican takeover of the Senate, he said that he was "seriously considering" and "leaning towards" running for re-election and will make an announcement in early 2015.^[13]

In December 2014, Politico reported that McCain and his allies were waging an "aggressive and systematic campaign" to purge the Arizona Republican Party's apparatus of Tea Party and far-right conservatives who hold "obscure, but influential, local party offices" and replace them with McCain loyalists.^{[14] [15]} The Super PAC "Arizona Grassroots Action" was created, which raised almost $300,000 and supported McCain-allied candidates with mailers and automated phone calls, bringing attention to what were previously low-profile and uncontested races.^[14] Before August 26, when elections for party offices were held, almost all of the 3,925 precinct committeemen (who vote for local party chairmen, who in turn make decisions on how the party will spend state and local funds, which candidates receive endorsements or funding etc.) were opposed to McCain. After the elections, 1,531 (39%) were regarded as supportive of McCain.^[14] Most notably, Timothy Schwartz, who authored the resolution which censured McCain, was ousted.^{[14] [16]} Schwartz attacked McCain for using his "prominence and money and influence" to "ramrod" his critics and former Maricopa County Republican Party Chairman A.J. LaFaro said that McCain was "vindictive" and engaging in the equivalent of "ethnic cleansing".^[14]

Tea Party Congressmen Matt Salmon and David Schweikert had been widely regarded as two of the most serious potential challengers to McCain. The pair, who are close friends, agreed that if one of them decided to run against McCain, the other would not do so, to ensure that the anti-McCain vote wouldn't be split between them.^[17] Schweikert has acknowledged that he polled the race in 2014 but was considered the less likely of the two to run – he had much less cash-on-hand than Salmon and admitted that his wife was "not thrilled" at the idea of him running for the Senate.^[17] Salmon later stated that he would not challenge McCain in the primary.

In early February, McCain said that he was "most likely" running for re-election^[18] and Club for Growth President David McIntosh said that the organization would "watch closely" the primary race, particularly if Salmon or Schweikert ran, and would "do research and polling and determine if there's a path to victory [against McCain]."^[19] Towards the end of February, Salmon and Schweikert began to distance themselves from the race,^{[20] [21]} with State Senator Kelli Ward revealing that she was considering a run.^[22]

McCain officially announced on April 7, 2015, that he was running for re-election.^[4]

Candidates

Declared

• John McCain, incumbent U.S. Senator^[4]
• Clair Van Steenwyk, talk radio host, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012 and candidate for AZ-08 in 2014^[23]
• Kelli Ward, former state senator^[24]

Withdrawn

• Alex Meluskey, printing company owner and FairTax activist^{[25] [26] [27]}
• David Pizer, businessman^{[28] [29]}

Declined

• Jan Brewer, former Governor of Arizona^[30]
• Jeff DeWit, State Treasurer of Arizona^[31]
• Trent Franks, U.S. Representative^[32]
• Paul Gosar, U.S. Representative^[33]
• Christine Jones, former Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Go Daddy and candidate for governor in 2014^{[34] [35]} (running for AZ-05)
• Martha McSally, U.S. Representative and future U.S. Senator interim appointee for this seat (2019–2020)^[36]
• Matt Salmon, U.S. Representative^[37]
• David Schweikert, U.S. Representative from Arizona's 6th congressional district^{[5] [38]}
• John Shadegg, former U.S. Representative^[39]
• Grant Woods, former Arizona Attorney General^[39]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain	Kelli Ward	Clair Van Steenwyk	Alex Meluskey	Other	Undecided
align=left	Public Policy Polling^[40]	May 1–3, 2015	300	± 5.7%		44%	31%	—	—	—	25%
align=left	Behavior Research Center^[41]	October 24 – November 5, 2015	577	± 4.7%		41%	11%	2%	1%	—		45%
align=left	Behavior Research Center^[42]	January 6–17, 2016	398	± 4.1%		47%	11%	1%	1%	1%^[43]		39%
Public Policy Polling^[44]	May 13–15, 2016	443	± 4.7%		39%	26%	2%	4%	3%^[45]		27%
				41%	41%	—	—	—	17%
align=left	NMB Research^[46]	July 11, 2016	500	± 4.38%		47%	22%	2%	6%	—		23%
align=left	Data Orbital LLC^[47]	August 11, 2016	500	±4.38%		50%	29%	—	—	—		17%
align=left	CNN/ORC^[48]	August 18–23, 2016	413	± 5.0%		55%	29%	4%	—	1%	3%

with Jan Brewer

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain	Jan Brewer	Other	Undecided
align=left	The Polling Company^[49]	April 11–12, 2014	600	± 4.1%	29%		47.7%	—	23.3%

with Christine Jones

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain	Christine Jones	Other	Undecided
align=left	Public Policy Polling	May 1–3, 2015	300	± 5.7%		48%	27%	—	25%

with Matt Salmon

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain	Matt Salmon	Other	Undecided
align=left	The Polling Company	April 11–12, 2014	600	± 4.1%	30.3%		48.2%	—	21.5%
align=left	Public Policy Polling	May 1–3, 2015	300	± 5.7%		42%	40%	—	18%

with David Schweikert

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain	David Schweikert	Other	Undecided
align=left	The Polling Company	April 11–12, 2014	600	± 4.1%	33.9%		40.1%	—	26%
align=left	Public Policy Polling	May 1–3, 2015	300	± 5.7%		40%	39%	—	20%

Generic Republican

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain	A different Republican	Other	Undecided
align=left	The Polling Company	April 11–12, 2014	600	± 4.1%	30.5%		60.7%	—	8.8%

Someone more conservative

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain	Someone more conservative	Other	Undecided
align=left	Public Policy Polling	May 1–3, 2015	300	± 5.7%	37%		51%	—	12%

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Ann Kirkpatrick, U.S. Representative^[50]

Withdrawn

• Leonard Clark, teacher, State House candidate in 2002, 2004, and 2008 and Green Party nominee for AZ-03 in 2010^[51]
• Richard Sherzan, retired administrative law judge and former Iowa state representative^{[52] [53] [54]}

Declined

• Richard Carmona, former Surgeon General and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2012^{[39] [55]}
• Fred DuVal, former chairman of the Arizona Board of Regents and nominee for governor in 2014^[33]
• Ruben Gallego, U.S. Representative^[56]
• Phil Gordon, former Mayor of Phoenix^[39]
• Mark Kelly, retired astronaut and husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and future U.S. Senator for this seat^{[39] [56]}
• Janet Napolitano, President of the University of California System, former Secretary of Homeland Security and former Governor of Arizona^{[39] [56]}
• Greg Stanton, Mayor of Phoenix^[56]
• Nan Walden, businesswoman, attorney and former chief of staff to Senator Bill Bradley^[55]

Results

Green primary

Candidates

Declared

• Gary Swing (write-in)^[57]

Results

Libertarian primary

Candidates

• Merissa Hamilton (write-in)

Results

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
align=left	The Cook Political Report^[59]		November 2, 2016
align=left	Sabato's Crystal Ball^[60]		November 7, 2016
align=left	Rothenberg Political Report^[61]		November 3, 2016
align=left	Daily Kos^[62]		November 8, 2016

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain (R)	Ann Kirkpatrick (D)	Other	Undecided
SurveyMonkey^[63]	November 1–7, 2016	2,609	± 4.6%	align=center	50%	45%	—	5%
Insights West^[64]	November 4–6, 2016	392	± 4.9%	align=center	50%	42%	—	9%
Data Orbital^[65]	November 4–6, 2016	550	± 4.1%	align=center	56%	44%	—	0%
SurveyMonkey^[66]	October 31–November 6, 2016	2,322	± 4.6%	align=center	50%	45%	—	5%
SurveyMonkey^[67]	October 28–November 3, 2016	1,748	± 4.6%	align=center	50%	45%	—	5%
Data Orbital^[68]	November 1–2, 2016	550	± 4.1%	align=center	52%	41%	2%	6%
SurveyMonkey^[69]	October 27–November 2, 2016	1,461	± 4.6%	align=center	50%	44%	—	6%
NBC/WSJ/Marist^[70]	align=center rowspan=2	October 30–November 1, 2016	719 LV	± 3.7%	align=center	55%	39%	5%	2%
	948 RV	± 3.2%	align=center	55%	38%	5%	2%
The Times-Picayune/Lucid^[71]	October 28–November 1, 2016	1,113	± 3.0%	align=center	52%	40%	—	8%
CNN/ORC^[72]	align=center rowspan=2	October 27–November 1, 2016	769 LV	align=center rowspan=2	± 3.5%	align=center	54%	41%	1%	3%
	867 RV	align=center	54%	41%	3%	1%
SurveyMonkey^[73]	October 26–November 1, 2016	1,320	± 4.6%	align=center	50%	44%	—	6%
Emerson College^[74]	October 29–31, 2016	700	± 3.6%	align=center	46%	40%	6%	9%
SurveyMonkey^[75]	October 25–31, 2016	1,457	± 4.6%	align=center	49%	46%	—	5%
Data Orbital^[76]	October 29–30, 2016	550	± 4.1%	align=center	49%	39%	3%	10%
CBS News/YouGov^[77]	October 26–28, 2016	994	± 4.3%	align=center	43%	38%	8%	11%
Monmouth University^[78]	October 21–24, 2016	401	± 4.9%	align=center	50%	40%	5%	4%
Washington Post/SurveyMonkey^[79]	October 8–16, 2016	1,028	± 0.5%	align=center	48%	45%	—	6%
Arizona Republic/Morrison/Cronkite^[80]	October 10–15, 2016	660	± 4.2%	align=center	52%	40%	8%	0%
Highground^[81]	October 14, 2016	400	± 4.9%	align=center	45%	35%	8%	9%
Emerson College^[82]	October 2–4, 2016	600	± 3.6%	align=center	52%	36%	7%	5%
Insights West^[83]	September 12–14, 2016	484	± 4.5%	align=center	53%	35%	1%	11%
NBC/WSJ/Marist^[84]	September 6–8, 2016	649	± 3.8%	align=center	57%	38%	1%	4%
Public Policy Polling^[85]	August 26–28, 2016	837	± 3.0%	43%	43%	—	15%
CNN/ORC	align=center rowspan=2	August 18–23, 2016	809 LV	align=center rowspan=2	± 3.5%	align=center rowspan=2	52%	align=center rowspan=2	39%	align=center rowspan=2	2%	align=center rowspan=2	2%
	842 RV
Public Policy Polling^[86]	June 22–23, 2016	691	± 3.7%	align=center	42%	40%	—	19%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner – Democracy Corps^[87]	June 11–20, 2016	300	± 5.7%	align=center	44%	42%	—	14%
	June 6–19, 2016	448	± 4.7%	align=center	40%	31%	—	29%
Public Policy Polling^[88]	June 8–9, 2016	747	± 3.6%	41%	align=center	43%	—	16%
Public Policy Polling	May 13–15, 2016	896	± 3.3%	align=center	42%	36%	—	23%
Behavior Research Center^[89]	April 4–11, 2016	564	± 4.2%	42%	42%	—	16%
The Merrill Poll^[90]	March 7–11, 2016	701	± 3.7%	align=center	41%	40%	3%	16%
Behavior Research Center^[91]	January 6–17, 2016	590	± 4.1%	align=center	38%	37%	—	25%
Strategies 360^[92]	December 4–9, 2015	504	± 4.4%	align=center	51%	36%	—	13%
Behavior Research Center^[93]	October 24–November 5, 2015	577	± 3.8%	align=center	37%	31%	—	32%
Gravis Marketing^[94]	August 13–16, 2015	1,433	± 2.6%	align=center	48%	35%	—	17%
Public Policy Polling	May 1–3, 2015	600	± 4.0%	align=center	42%	36%	—	23%

with John McCain

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain (R)	Richard Carmona (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 1–3, 2015	600	± 4%	align=center	40%	34%	—	25%
Public Policy Polling^[95]	February 28–March 2, 2014	870	± 3.3%	35%	align=center	41%	—	24%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain (R)	Fred DuVal (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 1–3, 2015	600	± 4%	align=center	40%	36%	—	24%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain (R)	Gabrielle Giffords (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	February 28–March 2, 2014	870	± 3.3%	35%	align=center	42%	—	23%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain (R)	Janet Napolitano (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	February 28–March 2, 2014	870	± 3.3%	align=center	44%	36%	—	19%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	John McCain (R)	Kyrsten Sinema (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 1–3, 2015	600	± 4%	align=center	42%	36%	—	22%

with Christine Jones

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Christine Jones (R)	Richard Carmona (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 1–3, 2015	600	± 4%	36%	align=center	42%	—	22%

with Matt Salmon

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Matt Salmon (R)	Richard Carmona (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 1–3, 2015	600	± 4%	align=center	43%	35%	—	21%

with David Schweikert

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	David Schweikert (R)	Richard Carmona (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 1–3, 2015	600	± 4%	39%	39%	—	22%

with Kelli Ward

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Kelli Ward (R)	Ann Kirkpatrick (D)	Other	Undecided
Breitbart/Gravis Marketing^[96]	August 27, 2016	1,244	± 2.8%	align=center	53%	19%	—	29%
Public Policy Polling	May 13–15, 2016	896	± 3.3%	align=center	37%	35%	—	28%
Gravis Marketing	August 13–16, 2015	1,433	± 2.6%	align=center	43%	38%	—	19%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Kelli Ward (R)	Richard Carmona (D)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 1–3, 2015	600	± 4%	36%	align=center	39%	—	26%

Results

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Coconino (largest municipality: Flagstaff)
• Pima (largest municipality: Tucson)

By congressional district

McCain won 7 of 9 congressional districts, including two that elected Democrats.

District	McCain	Kirkpatrick	Representative
	48.4%	45.3%		Ann Kirkpatrick
			Tom O'Halleran
		48.8%	45.6%		Martha McSally
		40.1%	54.2%		Raúl Grijalva
		63.8%	27.6%		Paul Gosar
	62.9%	31.2%		Matt Salmon
			Andy Biggs
		59.5%	35.3%		David Schweikert
		22.6%	71.8%		Ruben Gallego
		60.7%	32.7%		Trent Franks
		47.8%	46.6%		Kyrsten Sinema

External links

Official campaign websites

• John McCain (R) for Senate
• Ann Kirkpatrick (D) for Senate

Notes and References

1. Web site: Elections Calendar & Upcoming Events . AZSOS.gov . March 18, 2015.
2. News: Trujillo. Mario. McCain hints at retirement in 2016. September 14, 2013. The Hill. September 13, 2013.
3. Web site: McCain to huddle with supporters on 2016 re-election . AZCentral.com . October 20, 2014 . October 24, 2014.
4. Web site: John McCain to run for sixth term in 2016 . USA Today . April 7, 2015 . April 7, 2015.
5. Web site: McCain gets ready for race of his life . The Hill . September 25, 2014 . October 1, 2014.
6. Web site: A state GOP 'civil war' over McCain's re-election bid? . AZCentral.com . October 13, 2014 . October 24, 2014.
7. News: Blake . Aaron . McCain considering seeking reelection in 2016 . Washingtonpost.com . October 22, 2013 . October 22, 2013.
8. News: McCain set to meet with supporters on 2016 Senate race . USA Today . Catalina Camia . October 20, 2014 . October 24, 2014.
9. News: McCain preparing for 2016 GOP primary battle . AZCentral.com . Dan Nowicki . April 19, 2014 . October 24, 2014.
10. Web site: McCain has worst poll numbers in the country . Public Policy Polling . March 5, 2014 . October 1, 2014.
11. Web site: CUPVF Statewide Survey Among 600 AZ GOP Likely Primary Voters for 2016 U.S. Senate – Polling Memo . Citizens United Political Victory Fund . April 14, 2014 . October 1, 2014.
12. Sanchez, Yvonne Wingett. "Arizona GOP censures McCain for 'disastrous' record", The Arizona Republic (January 25, 2014). Retrieved January 26, 2014.
13. Web site: McCain is 'leaning towards' a 2016 re-election bid . AZ Central . November 6, 2014 . November 11, 2014.
14. Web site: McCain's big purge . Politico . December 30, 2014 . December 31, 2014.
15. Web site: McCain's team quietly purging Arizona GOP of tea-party foes before 2016 reelection bid . Hot Air . December 30, 2014 . December 31, 2014 .
16. Web site: McCain censure resolution author ousted from GOP post . AZ Central . December 8, 2014 . December 31, 2014.
17. Web site: Tea Party lawmakers may take on McCain . The Hill . January 28, 2015 . January 29, 2015.
18. Web site: McCain says he's "most likely" running for reelection next year . Twitter . Manu Raju . February 3, 2015 . February 4, 2015.
19. Web site: New Club for Growth President Singles Out John McCain for Potential Primary Challenge . National Journal . Alex Roarty . February 3, 2015 . February 4, 2015.
20. Web site: Salmon distances himself from 'deceitful' PAC . AZ Central . Dan Nowicki . February 14, 2015 . May 17, 2015.
21. Web site: Schweikert: My wife says no to Senate campaign . AZ Central . Dan Nowicki . February 21, 2015 . May 17, 2015.
22. Web site: Lake Havasu City's Kelli Ward may challenge John McCain for Senate seat in primary . Hava Sun News . Zachary Matson . February 10, 2015 . May 17, 2015.
23. Web site: McCain's support of Graham draws fire from Ward. The Arizona Republic. Nowicki. Dan. June 6, 2015. September 1, 2015.
24. Web site: Kelli Ward enters GOP Senate race against John McCain. The Arizona Republic. Nowicki. Dan. July 14, 2015. July 17, 2015.
25. Web site: Alex Meluskey to Seek U.S. Senate Seat in Arizona. Tea Party Scottsdale. Shaler. Patricia. February 18, 2015. August 6, 2015.
26. Web site: Alex Meluskey airs TV ad in GOP primary challenge to John McCain. The Arizona Republic. Nowicki. Dan. September 19, 2015. October 6, 2015.
27. Web site: One of Sen. John McCain's primary foes drops out of race. August 3, 2016.
28. Web site: Nowicki. Dan. November 7, 2015 . David Pizer joins Arizona Republican race for U.S. Senate. azcentral.
29. Web site: Termination Report. Federal Election Commission. March 18, 2016. March 28, 2016.
30. Web site: Arizona Governor Jan Brewer Will Not Run For Re-Election . Outside the Beltway . March 12, 2014 . March 27, 2014.
31. Web site: Trump courts Arizona treasurer to challenge McCain. The Washington Post. Costa. Robert. July 17, 2015. July 17, 2015.
32. News: Is the tea party afraid of John McCain?. Politico. Raju. Manu. Cheney. Kyle. April 15, 2015. April 15, 2015.
33. Web site: Gosar won't challenge McCain. The Arizona Republic. Sanders. Rebekah L.. March 21, 2015. March 24, 2015.
34. Web site: Schweikert, Jones possible McCain primary foes in 2016? . AZ Central . November 29, 2014 . December 3, 2014.
35. Web site: Christine Jones to run for Matt Salmon's seat in Congress. The Arizona Republic. May 2, 2016. May 5, 2016. Dan. Nowicki.
36. McSally shows strong early support . April 11, 2015 . May 16, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090830/https://mcsallyforcongress.com/mcsally-shows-strong-early-support/ . May 18, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
37. Web site: Salmon tells McCain: I won't primary you. The Hill. Wong. Scott. September 29, 2015. September 30, 2015.
38. Web site: Maricopa County GOP slams McCain again, but Schweikert won't run. The Arizona Republic. Nowicki. Dan. January 16, 2016. February 2, 2016.
39. News: Nowicki. Dan. Is this Sen. McCain's last term?. September 21, 2013. The Arizona Republic. February 16, 2013.
40. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2015/PPP_Release_AZ_50515.pdf Public Policy Polling
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