American politician and military officer (1936–2018)
For other uses, see John McCain (disambiguation).
John McCain
Official portrait, 2009
In office January 3, 1987 – August 25, 2018
Preceded by
Barry Goldwater
Succeeded by
Jon Kyl
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by
John Jacob Rhodes
Succeeded by
John Jacob Rhodes III
Senatorial positions
In office January 3, 2015 – August 25, 2018[a]
Preceded by
Carl Levin
Succeeded by
Jim Inhofe
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Succeeded by
Byron Dorgan
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1997
Preceded by
Daniel Inouye
Succeeded by
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2005
Preceded by
Fritz Hollings
Succeeded by
Ted Stevens
In office January 20, 2001 – June 3, 2001
Preceded by
Fritz Hollings
Succeeded by
Fritz Hollings
In office January 3, 199 •
Political positions of John McCain
U.S. SenatorJohn McCain, a Republican Party politician from Arizona who was a member of the U.S. Congress from 1983 until his death in office in 2018, a two-time U.S. presidential candidate, and the nominee of the Republican Party in the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, took positions on many political issues through his public comments, his presidential campaign statements, and his senatorial voting record.
Online, McCain used his Senate web site[1] and his 2008 campaign web site[2] to describe his political positions.
Regarding the general notion of consistency of political positions over time, McCain said in June 2008: "My principles and my practice and my voting record are very clear. Not only from 2000 but 1998 and 1992 and 1986. And you know, it's kind of a favorite tactical ploy now that opponents use, of saying the person has changed. Look, none of my principles or values have changed. Have I changed position on some specific issues because of changed circumstances? I would hope so! I would hope so!"[3 •
McCain Institute Launches John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative
The Washington Post’s Vladimir Kara-Murza and Jason Rezaian Named Advisory Council Members
Watch the McCain Institute’s event announcing the John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative HERE
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 6, 2025) – The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) today announced the launch of its newly created John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative (FPPI), which will provide vital support to Americans, green card holders, and dissidents from other nations, who are held overseas as political prisoners or hostages by repressive regimes.
This initiative was announced at a McCain Institute event featuring Russian opposition politician, Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post opinion contributor, and former political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza in conversation with Director of Press Freedom Initiatives at The Washington Post Jason Rezaian. Drawing on their own experiences, both Kara-Murza and Rezaian will serve as members of FPPI’s advisory counci