Ariz. GOP Senate hopeful: McCain, Flake ‘contributed’ in Iowa woman’s death

Arizona GOP Senate candidate Kelli Ward on Tuesday said Arizona Sens. John McCain (R) and Jeff Flake (R), as well as her primary opponent Rep. Martha McSally (R), helped “contribute” to the death of an Iowa woman who was allegedly killed by an undocumented immigrant.

Ward called McSally an “amnesty advocate” and said that Arizona needs “true leadership in the Senate.”

“The lack of leadership & courage by open border senators like [Flake and McCain], & #amnesty advocate Martha McSally contribute to these senseless deaths,” Ward tweeted on Tuesday, linking to an article about the murdered woman, Mollie Tibbetts. “We need true leadership in the Senate to #BuildTheWall & secure our borders!” 

The lack of leadership & courage by open border senators like @JeffFlake, @SenJohnMcCain, & #amnesty advocate Martha McSally contribute to these senseless deaths. We need true leadership in the Senate to #BuildTheWall & secure our borders! #VoteWard #AZSEN https://t.co/dZIkQWB8YJ

— Dr. Kelli Ward (@kelliwardaz) August 21, 2018

A spokeswoman for McSally said she would not “dignify” Ward’s comment with a response, The Arizona Republic reported.{mosads}

National reports have closely followed the search for Tibbetts, who disappeared in July.

Her body was discovered on Tuesday, and police have charged Cristhian Bahena Rivera with her murder. Rivera is a Mexican national in the country illegally, fueling talking points for border security advocates.

McCain and Flake have both long advocated for comprehensive immigration reform, even collaborating with Democrats in the 2013 “Gang of Eight,” a group of lawmakers dedicated to passing legislation on the issue.

McCain has been undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer at his home in Arizona. 

Ward has frequently targeted McSally on the issue of immigration and has positioned herself as a fervent supporter of President Trump and his policies.

An August poll showed McSally with an 8-point lead over Ward heading into the Aug. 28 primary.

This week, Ward hit the road for a “Road to Victory” bus tour alongside Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar (R), Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa).