Tragic Loss for Arizona Senate Race: Candidate John McLean Killed in Crash
Tucson, AZ – John McLean, a Democratic candidate vying for the Senate seat in Tucson’s District 17, tragically lost his life early Friday morning in a vehicle collision. The accident occurred around 6 a.m. as McLean was driving east on Broadway near North Houghton Road. He was struck by an impaired driver who ran a stop sign, according to Tucson police. McLean, 68, was pronounced dead at the scene.
McLean was facing Republican Venden “Vince” Leach in the closely contested election, which saw Leach leading by a narrow margin of approximately 3,052 votes or 2% as of Friday, following McLean’s concession the previous day.
In a statement, Leach expressed deep condolences, praising McLean as a man of integrity who positively impacted many lives. “The lives John positively touched during his life are incalculable,” he stated.
The driver responsible for the crash, 27-year-old Michael Martin Creel, was arrested on charges of manslaughter and aggravated DUI. Investigators revealed that McLean’s vehicle, a 2019 Toyota Rav4, was struck on the passenger side by Creel’s 2018 Ford Explorer.
Born in Phoenix, McLean earned a Ph.D. from Caltech and built a successful engineering firm in Tucson. His political ambitions were fueled by a desire to advocate for social justice, particularly after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Colleagues and local leaders mourned McLean’s untimely death, highlighting his dedication to public service. Pima County Supervisor-elect Jen Allen called the news “devastating” and expressed her sorrow for the loss of a passionate advocate. The Arizona Senate Democratic Caucus also commemorated McLean’s commitment to bettering the state, emphasizing his tireless efforts leading up to his tragic end.
Source
Photo credit tucson.com
