She Lost Race for Senate. Now, New Door May Open

Rising GOP star Martha McSally lost a close race for the Senate in November, but the Arizona congresswoman may end up joining the new crop of senators anyway. McSally is considered a top contender to be appointed to a suddenly vacant Senate seat in her home state, reports the Hill. Sen. Jon Kyl announced Friday that he will step down at the end of the year, meaning Republican Gov. Doug Ducey must pick someone to replace him. Kyl had been in the seat as a caretaker of sorts—Ducey appointed him upon the death of John McCain in August.

The governor says he will make his choice soon, and another serious contender is his former chief of staff, Kirk Adams, reports Politico. Whoever gets it will serve through at least November 2020, when a special election will take place to cover the remaining two years of McCain's term. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, for one, favors McSally, mainly because Republican donors shelled out millions on her behalf in her recent race against Democrat Krysten Sinema for Arizona's other Senate seat, reports the Arizona Republic. If he gets his way, the two women will end up serving side by side. (McSally's credo: "I'm a fighter pilot, and I talk like one.")