Elections

Sen. McCain To Skip GOP Convention

Senator John McCain (Reuters/Carlos Barria)

Kerry Picket Political Reporter
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Arizona Republican Sen. [crscore]John McCain[/crscore] plans to miss this year’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland, reports The Hill.

McCain made the decision to focus on a reelection battle against Arizona Democratic Rep. [crscore]Ann Kirkpatrick[/crscore], which is reportedly close in early polls.

This is the first time since 1984 McCain, the party’s nominee in 2008, has not spoken at a Republican Convention following his first election to the House.

Sen. McCain is not the only high profile GOP’er skipping the Republican confab. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a former presidential 2016 contender, announced recently he would not go to Cleveland in July either.

Other Republicans who may be no shows, The Chicago Tribune reports, are Illinois Sen. [crscore]Mark Kirk[/crscore], New Hampshire Sen. [crscore]Kelly Ayotte[/crscore], and Sen. [crscore]Lindsey Graham[/crscore].

When asked by The Hill if the eventual GOP nominee in July could pull him down in the polls, McCain responded, “That’s always a concern.”

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