Rep. Martha McSally is going to the Senate after all.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced Tuesday his appointment of Ms. McSally, a Republican, to fill the Senate seat of the late John McCain, finishing a term that ends in 2020.
She will join Democrat Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, who narrowly defeated her in the November election for a full six-year term in Arizona’s other Senate seat.
“I am humbled and grateful to have this opportunity to serve and be a voice for all Arizonans,” Ms. McSally said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Senator-elect Kyrsten Sinema and getting to work from day one.”
Ms. Sinema won the hard-fought race to succeed Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, a critic of President Trump, who decided to retire from the Senate.
The appointment gives Ms. McSally two years to cement her standing in the Senate and prepare for a re-election run.
Mr. Ducey, a Republican, first appointed retired Sen. Jon Kyl to fill the seat after McCain’s death Aug. 25. Mr. Kyl said he would only serve until the end of the year.
The governor said Ms. McSally was “uniquely qualified to step up and fight for Arizona’s interests” in the Senate.
“All her life, Martha has put service first, leading in the toughest of fights and at the toughest of times,” said Mr. Ducey, noting that the retired Air Force combat pilot was one of the first women trained for that job.
He commended her record of flying over 325 combat hours in the A-10 Warthog, commanding the fighter squadron known as the “Bulldogs.”
She also has “an unrelenting drive to make positive change — even when it means challenging authority,” said Mr. Ducey, citing her taking on the Pentagon “to overturn a discriminatory policy that forced women service members to wear Muslim garb — all before she even got to Congress.”
The White House welcomed the appointment, which will keep Ms. McSally on Capitol Hill.
“We congratulate her. She has been a strong partner in the House of Representatives helping advance the number of the administrations priorities, including rebuilding our military and increased border security,” said White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
“The president applauds Gov. Ducey for his swift and qualified selection and he appreciates Sen. Jon Kyl and thanks him for his service to the people of Arizona,” said Ms. Sanders.
Mr. Kyl, who previously served 18 years in the Senate and was a member of GOP leadership, announced last week that he would indeed step down at the end of the year.
He said the governor made a good choice by appointing Ms. McSally.
“Because she currently represents Arizona in the U.S. Congress, Martha McSally certainly has the knowledge and experience to represent our state in the Senate,” he said. “Moreover, she is highly energetic, smart and committed to finding practical solutions to problems facing our state and nation. She is an excellent choice.”
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday paid tribute to Mr. Kyl in a speech to the Senate.
“If Jon had planned on a relaxing, undisturbed post-Senate career, then his biggest mistake was leaving a record as one of the most earnest and effective legislators this body had seen in recent memory,” he said. “Because, when the people of Arizona needed someone to step in and honor the towering legacy of our dear friend, John McCain, through the end of this Congress, his counterpart of 18 years was the natural choice.”
Mr. McConnell, Kentucky Republican, said he was “especially grateful for this second opportunity to work alongside such a dear friend.”
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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