John McCain will skip RNC to fend off Kelli Ward in tough Arizona race
Dr. Kelli Ward earned 17 endorsements back in December to unseat Arizona Senator John McCain and now McCain is announcing that he would skip the Republican National Convention.
“I have to campaign for reelection, and I have always done that when I’m up,” the 2008 GOP nominee told reporters.
Gravis had a poll showing Ward ahead by 9 points, 45% to McCain’s 36% and 20% at “unsure.” McCain held a strong lead over Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick in that same poll, 48%-35% with Ward holding a smaller lead at 45% to Kirkpatrick’s 38%. (Source: Gravis poll)
McCain delivered election-year speeches at the convention in 1992 and 2004. McCain fought off a tough primary challenge in 2010 against J.D. Hayworth. At the time he still had a large campaign chest leftover from his 2008 campaign for president. Arizonans have also not forgotten his unfilled 2010 campaign promise to “complete the danged [border] fence.” The senior Senator has since failed to follow through on that promise.
McCain has held office in the nation’s capitol for over 30 years and now faces a tough challenge from popular grassroots challenger Ward.
His favorability in Arizona has waned, and even the likely Democratic nominee for the race poses a challenge to him in the general election matchup.
“Arizona needs strong and consistent leadership that can be counted on,” Ward said back in December. “What we have right now is a track record of broken promises and a laundry list of failed policies that are hurting Arizona and its people- this needs to end. I am happy to have the support of my colleagues as we work together to change the direction of Washington.”
Arizona Senate President pro tempore Sylvia Allen and Majority Whip Gail Griffin are among the list of five senators supporting Ward, along with state Senators Steve Smith, Nancy Barto, and David Farnsworth.
Arizona State House of Representatives Members endorsing Ward include: Rep. Mark Finchem (R-Tucson), Rep. Anthony Kern (R-Glendale), Rep. Jill Norgaard (R-Phoenix), Rep. Vince Leach (R-SaddleBrooke) and Rep. Warren Peterson (R-Gilbert).
Joining in the list of new endorsements are:
Former Senator Al Melvin
Former Senate President Russell Pearce
Former Rep. Carl Seel
Former Rep. John Fillmore
Sheriff Richard Mack
Gilbert City Council member Emilena Turley
Former AZGOP Chairman Tom Morrissey
These endorsements come in addition to early December news that the second amendment defending group Gun Owners of America endorsed Ward over McCain.
[…] Poll: McCain in trouble against Kelli Ward […]
TOKYO ROSE MCCAIN is losing support from veterans.See why online at http://www.oathkeepers.org
[…] Radio, former U.S. Senate candidate Alex Snitker discusses a few of the 2016 races, including John McCain’s struggles against Dr. Kelli Ward for his seat in Arizona and news that an Open Debate between Alan Grayson and David Jolly is set. Snitker talks about these […]
I’m a Snowbird from the Calif coast, so I can’t vote. But as a screaming, raging Ultra Conservative, I have a lot of interest in this race.
My research on Ward sadly came up with a feeling of “Tea Party former Wiccan who chases chemtrails.”
Then to top it off, last month dirty, scummy RINO hitman Roger Stone declared that he was “coming to AZ to work for Kelli Ward to mail John McCain.” WTF?!?!? That Scumbag had never worked for a Conservative, and he’s still attached to the NY Liberal Trump.
Sorry, but the more Arizonans peel back the wrapping on Ward, the socket she will fade like a cactus blossom in the desert heat.
Go back with your barnyard spread and vote in your own state. Kelli Ward’s support from within the state is continuing to rise. McCain has done everything from obfuscating search into POWs in Vietnam, his 30 plus “confessions” in N. Vietnam (Songbird?), to, arguably, having the worst VA hospital in the nation. Add to that his remarks for “amnesty”, pathetic campaign running against Obama, and his support for democrat legislation and increased funding. By the way, check out his “crashes” of military aircraft, especially the incident on the aircraft carrier. McCain is a RINO until just before reelection time when he decides he is a conservative and “runs on his record”. Perhaps you should check his “record”. I am a veteran – VETERAN FOR KELLI WARD ! I guess YOU are happy with the status quo since you denigrate Trump. Wake up, the Republican Party is radically changing for the better, the “silent majority” has figured the current republican establishment is simply “democrat light”.