President Donald Trump's influence was expected to be tested on Tuesday night as Arizona voters will decide whether MAGA-backed candidate Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) faces off in the Republican primary against Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) for governor — and an analyst revealed a stunning plot twist tied to late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).
CNN anchor Erin Burnett talked to political commentator S. E. Cupp during a panel discussion about why this election primary was so significant.
"And there's a lot on the line for President Trump's endorsement tonight," Burnett said. "Because when it comes to governor's primaries, Trump has suffered two recent high profile losses. Those are in the primaries in Iowa and Georgia. Biggs' primary opponent is Republican Congressman David Schweikert, who has consistently won in one of Arizona's most competitive congressional districts. He argues that the party can't gamble with a MAGA taking on Democratic incumbent Gov. Katie Hobbs in the fall."
Biggs has tried to sell voters on his past working with McCain — yet voters might have a different view.
"But John McCain's wife, Cindy, is fundraising, and she's not fundraising for Schweikert," Burnett said. "She's fundraising for the Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs."
Cindy McCain's move could have an impact on Arizona voters, in the state that has traditionally been Republican-led, Cupp explained.
"I don't think she would put it this way. And full disclosure, I'm friends with McCains, but this is sort of Cindy's revenge," Cupp said. "What MAGA tried to do to the McCains in Arizona — these really beloved public figures in the state was appalling. Not only did they try to tarnish his legacy, but they lied about the McCains. They said awful things about the McCains — Kari Lake in particular, just despicable. That turned off a lot of Arizona voters. I think MAGA really wanted to win without John McCain or move past John McCain because of Trump's sort of like hurt feelings with him."
It's likely voters will have something to say about it, Cupp added.
"But Arizona republicans are saying, 'No, if you want to win, you should act more like John McCain and sound more like John McCain. And so I think that's what Andy Biggs is trying to do. I'm not sure Arizona Republicans are going to buy that," Cupp said.