Some of Arizona’s elected officials have become nationally known figures, like Barry Goldwater, John McCain and Janet Napolitano.
But only one person held three of the highest offices — Ernest McFarland. He was elected governor of Arizona. He was also chief justice of the state Supreme Court. He served as the U.S. Senate’s majority leader.
McFarland’s greatest accomplished as a senator was likely his work creating the GI Bill after World War Two. Two of McFarland’s grandchildren - John Lewis and Kara Lynn Lewis spoke about the political figure. Kara Lewis’ husband Fritz Aspey and historian Vince Murray also spoke about McFarland and about a refurbished memorial for McFarland at the state Capitol in Phoenix.
