Martha McSally Appointed To U.S. Senate To Fill Jon Kyl's Seat

PHOENIX, AZ — Republican U.S. Rep. Martha McSally has been appointed to the U.S. Senate following the resignation of Sen. Jon Kyl. Gov. Doug Ducey said McSally put "service first" and has demonstrated leadership by leading tough fights at the toughest times.

"She served 26 years in the military; deployed six times to the Middle East and Afghanistan; was the first woman to fly in combat and command a fighter squadron in combat; and she’s represented Southern Arizona in Congress for the past four years," Ducey said in a statement. "With her experience and long record of service, Martha is uniquely qualified to step up and fight for Arizona’s interests in the U.S. Senate."

McSally said she traveled across the state over the past year and met with numerous residents about their challenges and hopes for the future.

"I am humbled and grateful to have this opportunity to serve and be a voice for all Arizonans," she said. "I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Kyrsten Sinema and getting to work from day one."

Kyl said McSally, currently serving as a lawmaker in the U.S. House of Representatives, has the knowledge and experience to serve the position well.

"Moreover, she is highly energetic, smart and committed to finding practical solutions to problems facing our State and Nation. She is an excellent choice," he said.

Kyl was appointed to the seat in September following John McCain's death. Kyl's resignation becomes effective Dec. 31.

McSally serves on the Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees and chairs the Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee. She graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and served in the military for 26 years before retiring in 2010. She was deployed to the Middle East and Afghanistan six times and became the first woman in American history to fly a fighter jet in combat. She was also the first woman to command a fighter squadron.

More recently, she lost to Democrat Sinema in the 2018 general election to succeed U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake. News outlets reported Ducey's support for appointing McSally had wavered recently after she blamed external forces for her loss.

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