When Arizona Sen. John McCain died Saturday, he left a decades-long legacy in Congress, as well as an empty Senate seat.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey will appoint McCain’s successor, and the law states that replacement must be the same party as McCain, who was a Republican. He or she will hold the seat until the general election in 2020.
And that’s about all that is known about the seat for now, as the governor refused to discuss a replacement while the senator was still alive.
After meeting with McCain in May, Gov. Ducey released a statement on Twitter condemning speculation over his successor, calling Washington, D.C.’s focus on the question “disgraceful.”
MORE: Family, Public Officials Remember Sen. John McCain
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been modified to clarify how long the appointed person will serve in office.
