August 30, 2016, 11:38 pm
McCain survives primary challenge
By Lisa Hagen
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is projected to win his Senate primary as he seeks to win a sixth term.
McCain fended off a primary challenge by state Sen. Kelli Ward, who lobbed controversial attacks at the longtime senator and closely hitched her campaign to GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. With just two precincts reporting results, the Associated Press called the race.
Ward said last week that McCain, 80, is too old to stay in the Senate, implying that he might die in office.
“I do know what happens to the body and the mind at the end of life,” she said.
Ward also said McCain has “several issues about race” and questioned whether he would come out against Trump if he wins his primary.
McCain largely ignored Ward throughout the primary, though his campaign ran one TV ad this month that attacked her for being inexperienced on national security.
McCain will face a tough general election race against Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.), though he currently leads in polling.
Democrats have been trying to nationalize the race, tying McCain to Trump. They believe Trump’s harsh rhetoric regarding immigration could help them in a state with a large Hispanic population.
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/293845-mccain-survives-primary-challenge
