by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
Arizona, a state that has never had a female United States Senator in its entire history, is now just a couple of weeks away from having two. Yesterday, to the surprise of very few, Governor Doug Ducey of the Scorpion State announced that he was appointing Congresswoman Martha McSally to fill the seat that was left vacant by the death of Arizona's long-time senior senator, John McCain.
Ducey initially appointed former Arizona Senator Jon Kyl to fill McCain's seat, but Kyl took the position stating that he would only serve out this year - and he kept that promise by resigning effective at the end of this year. Yesterday the governor took what most regarded at the easy option and appointed McSally to the post.
McSally tried to enter the Senate through the front door this year when she ran for the seat being vacated by the retiring Jeff Flake. She lost that race five weeks ago to another Arizona congresswoman, Krysten Sinema, in a close contest. Now, with Ducey's appointment of McSally to McCain's seat, both women will be seated in the Senate during the first week of January. McSally will serve until McCain's term expires in 2020, and then will most likely run for election to that same position - and Sinema will serve a full six-year term that will expire in 2024.
The first two female senators from Arizona represent opposite ends of the political spectrum, with McSally anchored to the Trump right and Sinema being known for her progressive stances on issues - and that divergence in itself is somewhat emblematic of Arizona. The state is stuffed to the gills with old people, retirees from the cold lands who fled south in search of continuous warmth and cheap plots of parched earth, ancients who listen to Fox 24/7 and think they are hearing news. But the state also has a strong core of citizens who exert a more youthful vigor and vision across the landscape.
This dichotomy of political philosophies was also evident a few years back when joyously progressive Governor Janet Napolitano resigned from her office to become Obama's Secretary of Homeland Security. She was replaced by Jan Brewer, a bitter pill who quickly became one of the stars of America's anti-immigrant movement.
So, while McSally and Sinema may come off as being polar opposites, taken together they are very representative of Arizona. I suspect they will both serve the Scorpion State well - and the Old Boys Club that has been the United States Senate is almost certain to benefit from becoming more diverse.
And diversity is a strength.
Citizen Journalist
Arizona, a state that has never had a female United States Senator in its entire history, is now just a couple of weeks away from having two. Yesterday, to the surprise of very few, Governor Doug Ducey of the Scorpion State announced that he was appointing Congresswoman Martha McSally to fill the seat that was left vacant by the death of Arizona's long-time senior senator, John McCain.
Ducey initially appointed former Arizona Senator Jon Kyl to fill McCain's seat, but Kyl took the position stating that he would only serve out this year - and he kept that promise by resigning effective at the end of this year. Yesterday the governor took what most regarded at the easy option and appointed McSally to the post.
McSally tried to enter the Senate through the front door this year when she ran for the seat being vacated by the retiring Jeff Flake. She lost that race five weeks ago to another Arizona congresswoman, Krysten Sinema, in a close contest. Now, with Ducey's appointment of McSally to McCain's seat, both women will be seated in the Senate during the first week of January. McSally will serve until McCain's term expires in 2020, and then will most likely run for election to that same position - and Sinema will serve a full six-year term that will expire in 2024.
The first two female senators from Arizona represent opposite ends of the political spectrum, with McSally anchored to the Trump right and Sinema being known for her progressive stances on issues - and that divergence in itself is somewhat emblematic of Arizona. The state is stuffed to the gills with old people, retirees from the cold lands who fled south in search of continuous warmth and cheap plots of parched earth, ancients who listen to Fox 24/7 and think they are hearing news. But the state also has a strong core of citizens who exert a more youthful vigor and vision across the landscape.
This dichotomy of political philosophies was also evident a few years back when joyously progressive Governor Janet Napolitano resigned from her office to become Obama's Secretary of Homeland Security. She was replaced by Jan Brewer, a bitter pill who quickly became one of the stars of America's anti-immigrant movement.
So, while McSally and Sinema may come off as being polar opposites, taken together they are very representative of Arizona. I suspect they will both serve the Scorpion State well - and the Old Boys Club that has been the United States Senate is almost certain to benefit from becoming more diverse.
And diversity is a strength.
No comments:
Post a Comment