John McCain

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John McCain official portrait 2009.jpg Official portrait, 2009

John Sidney McCain III (August 29, 1936 – August 25, 2018) was an American politician and military officer who served as a United States Senator from Arizona from 1987 until his death in 2018. He was the Republican nominee for President of the United States in the 2008 election, which he lost to Barack Obama.

Early life and military career

McCain was born on August 29, 1936, at Coco Solo, a naval air station in the Panama Canal Zone, to naval officer John S. McCain Jr. and Roberta McCain. He attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1958. McCain became a naval aviator and flew ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, he was shot down, seriously injured, and captured by the North Vietnamese in 1967. He was a prisoner of war until 1973, experiencing periods of torture and refusing an out-of-sequence early repatriation offer. McCain retired from the Navy as a captain in 1981.

Political career

U.S. House of Representatives

In 1982, McCain was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Arizona's 1st congressional district. He served two terms from 1983 to 1987.

U.S. Senate

McCain was first elected to the United States Senate in 1986, succeeding Barry Goldwater. He was re-elected five times and served until his death in 2018. McCain was known for his work on campaign finance reform, which led to the passage of the McCain-Feingold Act in 2002. He also chaired the Senate Commerce Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Presidential campaigns

McCain ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000 but lost to George W. Bush. He secured the Republican nomination in 2008 but was defeated in the general election by Barack Obama.

Later years and death

In 2017, McCain was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He continued to serve in the Senate until his death on August 25, 2018.

Legacy

McCain was known for his maverick political style, often taking positions that were at odds with his party. He was a strong advocate for military and veterans' affairs, and his legacy includes significant contributions to campaign finance reform and foreign policy.

Related pages

• United States Senate
• Republican Party (United States)
• Vietnam War
• 2008 United States presidential election
• Barack Obama
• Campaign finance reform in the United States