The 1986 United States Senate election in Arizona was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater decided to retire instead of seeking a sixth term. The open seat was won by John McCain, a Republican congressman from Arizona's 1st congressional district and former Navy officer, as well as future 2008 presidential nominee against Democrat Barack Obama. McCain would remain in the Senate until his death on August 25, 2018. General election Candidates Richard Kimball, former member of the Arizona Corporation Commission and State Senator (Democratic) John McCain, U.S. Representative from Phoenix (Republican) Campaign Kimball's campaign was subject to negative press from the Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette. One Gazette columnist described him as displaying "terminal weirdness." McCain ultimately won the election by a margin of 21%. Results See also 1986 United States Senate elections References Arizona 1986 1986 Arizona elections John McCain