When speaking publicly, John McCain says Trump will have little effect on his reelection, but behind the scenes at an Arizona fundraiser, the senator painted a far more solemn picture of his supporters.
“If Donald Trump is at the top of the ticket, here in Arizona,” he said, “No doubt that this will be the race of my life.”
McCain pointed to the Hispanic media in the state, which he says is predominantly anti-Trump. The senator said the community is “roused and angry” in a way that he hasn’t seen in decades.
The former GOP presidential nominee is a favorite to win another term in the Senate, which would mark his sixth term. However, the senator’s remarks are a perfect example of the GOP’s concern that Trump may damage the party’s chances of maintaining control of the Senate.
Two dozen seats are up for reelection this year, and many of those seats are in purple and blue states. The Democrats have just 10 seats up for reelection.
John McCain said that he will support the Republican nominee, and admits that he is in a better position to keep his seat than some of his peers.
The senator said that people will judge him on what he’s done and what he can do. “People really do know me and know what I’ve done,” he said.
