John McCain (b. August 29, 1936, in Panama Canal Zone, Panama) is a Republican member of the U.S. Senate from the state of Arizona. McCain was first elected to the Senate in 1986. McCain began his political career by winning election to the U.S. House in 1982. He served in that position until his election to the Senate in 1986. McCain unsuccessfully ran for president in 2008, losing to Barack Obama in the general election.