Rep. Paul Gosar 'interested in the McCain seat,' text to Gov. Doug Ducey attorney says

Yvonne Wingett Sanchez | The Republic | azcentral.com

A day after a December 2017 announcement that Sen. John McCain had been hospitalized for the "normal effects" of cancer treatment, Arizona's Rep. Paul Gosar was lobbying for McCain's Senate seat.

Gosar's chief of staff, Thomas Van Flein,conveyed the northern Arizona congressman's interest in replacing McCain, R-Ariz., to Gov. Doug Ducey's then-attorney, Mike Liburdi.

If McCain's seat were to open, because of his resignation or death, the sitting governor would appoint his Republican successor.

The brief text exchange began at 11:56 a.m. Dec. 14, less than 24 hours after news reports of McCain's hospitalization in Bethesda, Maryland.

"In a meeting, I'll call you back," Liburdi wrote to Gosar's chief of staff.

It is unclear whether he was responding to a phone call, text message or some other form of communication.

Gosar's chief of staff responded, "Ok! Just calling to let u know Gosar is interested in the McCain seat and he wants to talk with your boss."

The requested conversation did not occur, said Daniel Ruiz, a senior adviser to Ducey.

McCain's hospitalization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center came amid speculation about his future, following his July 2017 diagnosis with a typically deadly form of brain cancer, known as glioblastoma.

SEE ALSO: What if McCain leaves office? Here's how the process works

Ducey, a Republican, has rebuked the behind-the-scenes jockeying for the seat. He and his staff, who have fielded questions for months about the issue, have said any discussion is "disgraceful" since McCain remains a member of the U.S. Senate.

Van Flein said Wednesday that he wanted to set up a meeting "so Congressman Gosar could chat with the governor" given the aggressiveness of McCain's diagnosis, "and that responsible people needed to make plans for transitions."

He, too, said that meeting did not happen.

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Van Flein could not say whether Gosar is still interested in an appointment to the Senate seat.

The Arizona Republic obtained a transcript of the texts from the Governor's Office in response to a June 12 request under the Arizona Public Records Law.

The Governor's Office released the information Wednesday, after asking information technology officials and current and former gubernatorial staff to search systems and personal cellphones for the government-related communications.

No call to resign

There has been no widespread call for McCain to return or resign. His colleagues on Capitol Hill — Republicans and Democrats — have given him space to privately handle his uncertain future. His term expires in 2023.

McCain, 81, has remained in Arizona since December.

Ken Bennett, Ducey's rival in the Aug. 28 gubernatorial GOP primary, has tried to make the issue of McCain's successor a defining issue in the race.

Gosar has injected himself into the discussion on Twitter. He wrote that McCain's wife, Cindy, should not be appointed to the seat.

The June 2 post earned him the rebuke of McCain's former Senate chief of staff, Mark Salter.

"Hey dumbass, the seat isn't vacant," Salter responded on Twitter. "Mind your own business and continue being the same useless do-nothing MC (member of Congress) you've been from the start."

Gosar, one of the most conservative and outspoken Republicans in the House, is a reliable defender of President Donald Trump, whose performance and policies have drawn criticism from McCain.

Gosar's pugnacious political style has created controversy, from blocking people who disagreed with him on Facebook and alienating many of his own siblings.

In November, Gosar mulled running for the seat being vacated by McCain's seatmate U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.

Van Flein said McCain's six terms as senator have been admirable. But, he said, it would be reckless and unwise for Ducey to ignore the grim outlook for McCain, given his diagnosis.

"The congressman believes it is irresponsible not to be planning for transitions, whether you're a grandparent and you're preparing a will ... public officials have the same duty to the public to plan transitions," he said.

Van Flein said those who think it is unseemly to lobby for McCain's seat while he still occupies it, also "immature." He noted McCain's own family has planned his funeral.

"This is not about Senator McCain," he said. "The seat has been essentially vacant for eight months at this point" at a time it is critically important for Arizona's constituents to be represented in the chamber.

Ducey's spokesman, Daniel Scarpinato, responded, "We disagree."

Ducey issues rebuke

Just days after Van Flein's text, Ducey took aim at those elbowing for the seat during a radio interview.

"To the politicians out there that have been openly lobbying for this position, they basically disqualified themselves for showing their true character," he said during a KTAR-FM (92.3) interview.

McCain was diagnosed with brain cancer just over a year ago.

He and Cindy are at their family retreat in Cornville, near Sedona, where he was recently said to be continuing physical therapy and visiting with friends.

In a statement earlier this month to The Republic, Cindy thanked supporters, medical caregivers, and friends.

She added, "Finally, and most importantly, to our friends, John’s colleagues, and the thousands and thousands of Arizonans, Americans and people of good will on every continent, who have called and written to offer their assistance, their encouragement and their love for John, we are humbled and thankful beyond adequate expression."

Follow the reporter on Twitter @yvonnewingett and on Facebook. Reach her at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com.

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