McCain Latest: Arizona Republicans Moves To Keep Seat Off Ballot

PHOENIX, AZ – John McCain has given no indiction that he plans to step down from his seat in the United States Senate. Despite that, Arizona Republicans are nervous about the possibility of having to defend two seats this November and are trying to change the rules.

In an unexpected move late Tuesday, the Republicans in the state Senate introduced a measure that would change the way vacancies in federal offices are filled.

Currently, if a seat opens up before May 31, the governor appoints someone to fill the job until the November elections when voters would get to pick the replacement.

If the seat were to open up on June 1 or later, Gov. Ducey would name someone to serve until 2020. (Get Phoenix Patch's daily newsletter and real-time news alerts. Or, find your local Patch here and subscribe).

Senate Republicans want to change the rule so that if the seat opened up any time after March 31, Ducey would name a replacement to serve for the next two years.

That would mean if McCain stepped down or left for some other reason, Ducey would name the replacement and Republicans would hold the seat for another two years.

McCain, who has been battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, was hospitalized and required surgery over the weekend.

Republicans would rather not have to run for two open seats.

The state's junior senator, Jeff Flake, announced he would not seek reelection.

The primaries are next week.

Rep. Krysten Sinema is expected to easily win the Democratic nomination and run a strong race in November. Three Republicans – including disgraced former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio – are contending for their party's nod.

It's not clear if the Republicans could get the votes to pass the measure as they would need two-thirds, which would require Democratic support. That's unlikely.

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Photo of McCain via Alex Wong/Getty Images News/Getty Images.