JOHN MCCAIN
-Republican
Photo courtesy of: U.S. Senate
Biography
John Sidney McCain III is the senior senator from Arizona, who has been in office since 1987. Prior to that post, he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Arizona's 1st district from 1983-1987.
Quick Facts
Birthplace/date: August 29, 1936, Panama Canal Zone
Education: United States Naval Academy, 1958
Family: Married to Cindy Hensley since 1980; daughter Meghan born in 1984, son John Sidney IV, born in 1986 and son James, born in 1988. Previously married to Carol Shepp in 1965, two adopted children, Doug and Andy. The couple's daughter, Sidney, was born in 1966
Career
- Became a naval aviator, flying attack aircraft from carriers.
- In 1967, during the Vietnam War, was shot down and severely injured. He was a prisoner of war for five-and-a-half years, enduring periods of torture; was released in 1973.
- Awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross after his release as a POW in Vietnam.
- Retired from the Navy in 1981 and in 1982 was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to Arizona's 1st congressional district.
- Elected to the U.S Senate in 1986, representing Arizona and re-elected in 1992, 1998 and 2004.
- In 1987, joined the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Commerce Committee and the Indian Affairs Committee.
- Known for his finance reform campaign, which led to the passing of the McCain-Feingold Act in 2002.
In 2000, was a candidate for the Republican nomination, but dropped out after weak primary results to George W. Bush. - Joined the 1991-1993 Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs, chaired by Democrat and fellow Vietnam War veteran John Kerry.
- Co-sponsored the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, an act that would have permitted illegal immigrants already in the U.S. to obtain citizenship.
