President Donald Trump's phone call with Ducey came as the Arizona governor weighs whom to appoint to the seat following the death of the late Arizona Sen. John McCain, who passed away last week. | Mark Wilson/Getty Images Trump and Arizona governor spoke following McCain’s death

President Donald Trump and Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey spoke by phone this week — a conversation in which the subject of the state’s vacant Senate seat arose, according to four people familiar with the discussion.

The discussion came as Ducey weighs whom to appoint to the seat following the death of Arizona Sen. John McCain, who passed away last week.


One person familiar with the details of the call described it as wide-ranging, and said it included discussion of the proposed border wall, health care and the Senate vacancy. Trump, this person said, congratulated Ducey on his Tuesday primary victory.

The two also discussed McCain’s funeral arrangements.

Ducey, who faces a serious reelection challenge, has remained tight-lipped about whom he will select to the fill vacancy.

The White House decline to comment.

“We have stated repeatedly that we would not discuss an appointment to the seat vacated by Sen. McCain’s passing until his life is honored and he is laid to rest. That continues to be the case and we will have nothing further to add,” said Ducey spokesman Daniel Ruiz.

