Arizona was admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912, and elects senators to Class 1 and Class 3. Its current senators are Republicans John McCain and Jeff Flake.
Class 1
Class 1 U.S. Senators belong to the electoral cycle who were elected for three Congresses in the state's first election of 1912. The seat in recent years has been contested in 2000, 2006, and 2012, and the next election will be in 2018.
Class 3
Class 3 U.S. Senators belong to the electoral cycle who were elected for two Congresses in the state's first election of 1912. The seat in recent years has been contested in 1998, 2004, 2010, and 2016. The next election will be in 2022.
As of October 2016[update], there are two former Senators from Arizona who are currently living, both from Class 1. The most recent senator to die was Paul Fannin of Class 1 (1965-1977) on January 13, 2002. The most recent Class 3 senator to die was Barry Goldwater (1953-1965, 1969-1987) on May 29, 1998.