A doctor says Sen. John McCain is responding well to treatment for his brain cancer.
McCain tweeted Monday he'll be back in Washington, D.C., next month after his unexpected return to Phoenix on Sunday.
But McCain's hospitalization last week for an infection resulting from his cancer treatment raises the question of what happens if McCain leaves the Senate.
Political insiders have been discussing McCain retirement scenarios, and candidates are lining up, with some surprising names as possibilities.
Thanks to everyone for your support & words of encouragement! I'm feeling well & looking forward to returning to work after the holidays.
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) December 18, 2017
If McCain retires, Gov. Doug Ducey will have a big decision to make.
Here's what would happen:
Under Arizona law, Ducey would appoint a replacement. There is no deadline for the appointment.
Ducey could appoint himself. He could even name McCain's wife, Cindy. Whoever is appointed must be a Republican.
McCain's seat would be up for election in November 2018, four years early. The winner would serve out the remainder of McCain's unexpired six-term, through 2022.
Insiders are delicately speculating about an appointment to McCain's seat.
Two Republicans' names surface in many discussions: former Mesa Congressman Matt Salmon and Tucson Congresswoman Martha McSally.
McSally has already said she's running for retiring Sen. Jeff Flake's seat, but she hasn't formally filed for the seat.
On the Democratic side, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords' husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, might run if there's an election in 2018, according to political analyst Chris Herstam.
This retirement scenario applies only if John McCain leaves the Senate before June 1 next year.
If McCain retires from the Senate on June 1 or later, Ducey would appoint a successor to serve until 2020.
