Despite her recent election loss to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, Republican Martha McSally is headed to Washington, D.C. to join her former opponent in the United States Senate.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has appointed McSally to fill the seat of the late John McCain, who died in August after a battle with brain cancer.
In September, Gov. Ducey named former Sen. John Kyl to fill the seat, but Kyl indicated he would not serve into next year. He announced his resignation last week.
McSally lost to Sinema in the November election to fill the seat of Sen. Jeff Flake, who did not run for reelection. McSallly said in a statement from the Governor’s office that she looks forward to working with Sinema to “get positive things done.”
In a statement, Ducey says McSally is uniquely qualified to step in to the Senate.
McSally has been on a short list of possible appointees since McCain’s death. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell signaled his endorsement of her appointment just last week.
Felicia Rotellini, chair of the Arizona Democratic Party says McSally’s appointment ignores the will of Arizona voters who rejected McSally because they don’t trust her to fight for them.
Senator Kyl’s resignation from the Senate will be effective Dec. 31.
McSally visited Yuma on Oct. 26, when she was joined by Vice President Mike Pence at a rally.
"I'll make you a promise," Pence told supporters at the Joe Foss Hangar in Yuma. "With Martha McSally in the Senate, with Donald Trump in the White House, we will build that wall, we will secure the border and we will fix this broken immigration system once and for all."
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KAWC reporter Victor Calderón contributed to this report.
