Jimmy McCain, Son of Late Arizona Senator, Shifts Political Allegiance to Democrats and Backs Harris

PHOENIX (AP) — In a notable political shift, Jimmy McCain, son of the late Arizona senator and 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain, has registered as a Democrat. His endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris marks a significant gesture of support in a critical battleground state.

Simultaneously, Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, is set to join a rally with the conservative group Turning Point USA outside Phoenix on Wednesday. This organization has played a key role in aligning the Arizona GOP with former President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign.

The contrasting actions of McCain and Vance highlight the divisions within the GOP. Democrats are working to attract traditional conservatives alienated by Trump’s influence, while Republicans aim to consolidate their support base and energize younger voters.

Previously an independent, Jimmy McCain made the switch due to his disillusionment with the Republican Party since Trump’s ascension in 2016. His decision was influenced during a recent nine-month deployment overseas, which he concluded shortly before going public about his registration change. CNN first reported on this development.

McCain expressed his frustration after witnessing Trump’s campaign visit Arlington National Cemetery, calling it a “political stunt.” Harris criticized the move as disrespectful to the hallowed grounds.

The relationship between Trump and the McCain family remains complicated, particularly after Trump disparaged the late senator’s war hero status during his 2016 campaign. Jimmy McCain acknowledged the emotional toll of hearing his father criticized, yet emphasized that public figures must endure scrutiny.

“The individuals buried at Arlington made the ultimate sacrifice,” he stated. “They don’t get a political opinion.”

In defending his visit, Trump claimed that his invitation to Arlington came from families of Marines killed in a suicide bombing during the tumultuous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. His campaign responded to Harris’s remarks, stating that she was politicizing a sensitive subject.

At 36, Jimmy McCain has a solid military background, enlisting as a Marine during his teenage years, serving four years, and later joining the Army National Guard. He currently holds the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

McCain described himself as a moderate, echoing his father’s 2008 slogan, “Country first.” He emphasized his commitment to serving his country as his primary concern.

Cindy McCain, his mother and widow of John McCain, endorsed President Joe Biden prior to the 2020 election, a move that contributed to Biden’s narrow victory in Arizona, particularly among Republicans disenchanted with Trump. Following this, Biden appointed her as the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. food and agriculture agencies in Rome, where she currently leads the World Food Programme.

John McCain was renowned for his bravery, having been shot down over North Vietnam in 1967. Captured and tortured, he spent over five years as a prisoner of war, famously refusing early release in favor of his fellow servicemembers.

Trump’s controversial remarks about McCain, suggesting he was not a war hero, alongside McCain’s pivotal “thumbs-down” vote against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, have added layers to their complicated legacy.

Known for his independent stance, John McCain served Arizona in Congress for 31 years until his passing in 2018 from a brain tumor. His legacy as a “maverick” endures, as he remains a respected figure in Arizona politics.