With Republican Martha McSally having been appointed to the U.S. Senate, the likelihood for Democrat Grant Woods challenging for 2020 has increased.

“I think it makes it more likely because, as you can tell, I’m not a big fan of (McSally’s) and how she conducted this last election,” Woods said. 

Ever since the August death of his friend Sen. John McCain in August, Woods has been considering a potential Senate run. 

With Woods having been critical of McSally and supporting her opponent, the appointment helped him make a final decision to run.

Last week, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced McSally would succeed outgoing U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl who was slated to resign on Dec. 31 after taking the role in September.

Woods believes McSally was a “terrible choice” for the appointment and Ducey should have picked Cindy McCain instead. Ducey was required by Arizona law to select a Republican for the seat.

“It would’ve been the right thing to do,” Woods said, even though he said he was not sure whether the widowed McCain would have wanted it.

McSally nearly won the November race for outgoing U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake’s seat. Her campaign was spent aligning with President Donald Trump as she followed his lead by omitting McCain’s name at the signing of his last defense bill. 

While Woods objects to McSally, he still believes she should be given a chance by Arizonans.

“I hope she learned her lesson,” Woods said. “If she decides she is going to be true to herself and puts country first, Arizona first, and not just ambition, then great.” 

A special election will be held in 2020 to fill the remainder of McCain’s term through 2022. After that, the seat will be available for a full six-year term.