Martha McSally

Martha McSally is an American politician and retired military officer who served as a United States Senator from Arizona from 2019 to 2020. A member of the Republican Party, she previously represented Arizona's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019. McSally was the first American woman to fly in combat and to command a fighter squadron in the United States Air Force.

Early life and education

Martha McSally was born in Warwick, Rhode Island, and grew up in a devout Catholic family. She attended St. Mary Academy – Bay View before earning an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. McSally later earned a Master of Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the United States Naval War College.

Military career

Commissioned through the United States Air Force Academy, McSally completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and became an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot. She served in the 355th Fighter Squadron at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base and flew combat missions in Operation Southern Watch over Iraq. In 2001, she successfully challenged a Department of Defense policy requiring U.S. servicewomen in Saudi Arabia to wear the abaya, a case that drew national attention. McSally commanded the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, becoming the first woman to command a USAF fighter squadron. She retired in 2010 with the rank of colonel, having also served as a senior legislative fellow in the United States House of Representatives.

Political career

After retiring from the United States Air Force, McSally entered politics in Arizona's 2nd congressional district. In the 2012 election, she lost a close race to Democratic incumbent Ron Barber. She ran again in the 2014 election, defeating Barber. In the United States House of Representatives, she served on the Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security Committee. She was re-elected in the 2016 election but did not seek re-election to the House in 2018, instead running for the United States Senate.

U.S. Senate appointments and elections

In the 2018 election for the seat of retiring Senator Jeff Flake, McSally won the Republican primary but lost the general election to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema. Following the resignation of Senator Jon Kyl, Governor Doug Ducey appointed McSally to the vacant seat in January 2019. She served in the 116th United States Congress and sat on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate HELP Committee. She ran in a 2020 special election for the remainder of John McCain's term but was defeated by Democrat Mark Kelly.

Political positions

McSally is a conservative Republican whose political stances often aligned with the agenda of President Donald Trump. She supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, advocated for increased defense spending, and took a hardline stance on border security, including support for the border wall. On healthcare, she voted for the American Health Care Act of 2017 to repeal the Affordable Care Act but later emphasized protections for individuals with preexisting conditions. She was a vocal supporter of the National Rifle Association and opposed the Iran nuclear deal. In the Senate, she co-sponsored the Great American Outdoors Act.

Personal life

McSally has been open about being a survivor of sexual assault, sharing her story during the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination hearings. She is a private pilot and remains involved in veterans' issues. Following her Senate service, she joined the advisory board of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and has worked as a consultant and public speaker. She resides in Tucson, Arizona. Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:United States Air Force officers Category:Republican Party United States senators Category:United States senators from Arizona Category:Women in the United States Air Force