Republicans have sparked fury for already vying for Senator John McCain’s seat as he battles an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Governor of Arizona Doug Ducey slammed those in his party who are already battling for the seat in a race to replace the 81-year-old, even though he is still in office.
‘To the politicians out there that have been openly lobbying for this position, they’ve basically disqualified themselves by showing their true character,’ Ducey told KTAR radio.
McCain had surgery to remove a tumor back in July, but after removing it doctors discovered that it was a form of glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer that is almost always fatal.
Senator John McCain (pictured on December 1), has been in a wheelchair for several months after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer that is almost always fatal
Gov. Doug Ducey (pictured) slammed candidates that are lobbying for McCain’s seat and said: ‘They’ve basically disqualified themselves by showing their true character’
In September, McCain revealed on 60 Minutes that his prognosis was ‘very poor’, and that doctors had told him his chance of survival was between three and 14 per cent.
Nevertheless, candidates quietly battling it out for the seat is seen by Ducey as ‘off color’, as they should instead be ‘praying’ and ‘rooting’ for him.
Ducey is said to be receiving updates on his condition from McCain’s wife, Cindy.
The three candidates Ducey’s comments are believed to be aimed at are Rep. Paul Gosar, Kelli Ward, who challenged McCain for the senate seat in 2016, and former Rep. Matt Salmon, according to The Hill.
Ward attracted controversy previously by declaring shortly after McCain was diagnosed that he should resign and that she should be the one to replace him.
Gosar’s chief of staff is said to have already emailed one of Ducey’s staff about replacing McCain, despite saying in a statement to The Hill that ‘There will be a time and a place for any political discussion in due course’.
Salmon had lunch with Ducey’s chief of staff earlier this month, although it is unclear what they discussed.
All three candidates may also be in the running for Sen. Jeff Flake’s seat, who announced he would be resigning in October in a speech criticizing president Donald Trump.
Flake’s resignation means that as there is more than six months until the next general election both McCain and Flake’s seats may be put to the ballot in November.
Candidates quietly battling it out for the seat is seen by Ducey as ‘off color’, as they should instead be ‘praying’ and ‘rooting’ for him. He is receiving updates from McCain’s wife, Cindy