McCain’s death shadows GOP primary in Arizona

Shadowed by the death of Sen. John McCain, Arizona voters are nominating candidates to replace his seatmate in a primary contest that lays bare the fissures in a Republican Party dramatically remade by President Donald Trump.

Three Republicans vied Tuesday to replace Sen. Jeff Flake, who is retiring after his fierce criticism of Trump made his political future in the state untenable. All three, including establishment favorite Rep. Martha McSally, have embraced Trump and distanced themselves from McCain — a sign of how far the late senator’s status had fallen with conservatives who dominate Arizona’s GOP primaries.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, who must name a replacement to fill McCain’s seat for the next two years, was closely watching the contest. McCain died Saturday after a yearlong battle with brain cancer.

Arizona was one of three states holding elections Tuesday. Voters participating in Florida’s primary were choosing nominees for governor, a position that will give the winner’s party an advantage in a key political battleground heading into the 2020 presidential campaign. A diverse Democratic field included candidates hoping to be the state’s first female or first black governor. Trump appeared to have tilted the Republican race toward Rep. Ron DeSantis, whom he endorsed late last year.

Trump reiterated his support for DeSantis on Twitter Monday, calling the congressman a “special person” who is “Strong on Crime, Borders and wants Low Taxes.”