Full Name:
Martha McSally
Gender:
Female
Birth Date:
03/22/1966
Birth Place:
Warwick, RI
Home City:
Tucson, AZ
Religion:
Christian
Master's, Strategic Studies, United States Air Force Air War College
MPP, Public Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 1990
BS, United States Air Force Academy, 1988
Senator, United States Senate, Arizona, 2019-2020
Candidate, United States Senate, Arizona, 2018, 2020
Representative, United States House of Representatives, Arizona, District 2, 2014-2019
Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Arizona, District 2, 2012, 2014, 2016
Former Member, Armed Services Committee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member, Armed Services Committee, United States Senate
Former Member, Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, United States Senate
Former Member, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, United States Senate
Former Member, Homeland Security Committee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member, Indian Affairs Committee, United States Senate
Former Member, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee (Armed Services), United States House of Representatives
Former Member, Special Committee on Aging, United States Senate
Former Member, Subcommittee on Airland, United States Senate
Former Chair, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, United States House of Representatives
Former Member, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, United States House of Representatives
Former Member, Subcommittee on Energy, United States Senate
Former Member, Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development, United States Senate
Former Member, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, United States House of Representatives
Former Member, Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance, United States Senate
Former Member, Subcommittee on Personnel, United States Senate
Former Member, Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, United States Senate
Former Member, Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, United States Senate
Former Vice Chair, Subcommittee on Readiness, United States House of Representatives
Former Member, Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment, United States Senate
Former Member, Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, United States House of Representatives
Former Chair, Subcommittee on Water and Power, United States Senate
Former Professor, National Security Studies, George C. Marshall Center
National Security Advisor, Office of United States Senator Jon Kyl
Colonel, United States Air Force, 1984-2010
Legislative Fellow, Senator Jon Kyl, 1999
Commissioner, Pima County/Tucson Women's Commission, present
Member, Victory Worship Center, present
Former Board Member, Teen Challenge of Arizona
Awards:
Recipient of the Tucson YWCA Women on the Move Award
one of three "Women Who Lead" -- Women's Studies Advisory Council at the University of Arizona
Bronze Star
Multiple Air Medals
Air Force Association David C. Schilling Award, most outstanding contribution in the field of flight, 2006
Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law, Rhode Island College
Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Center on Women in Policing
Regional finalist for the Rhodes scholarship
White House Fellowship National Finalist
Al Neuharth Free Spirit Award, Freedom Forum, 2002
Favorite Movie:
Braveheart
Hobbies or Special Talents:
Mountain climbing, biking, hiking, Ironman triathlete
Pets (include names):
1 Dog: Boomer
Reason for Seeking Public Office:
Like many of you, I am frustrated with the dysfunction and lack of leadership in Washington DC. We have people "serving" in Congress who are more interested in their next election instead of the next generation and what is best for the community and country. That is not the definition of service.
I served our country in uniform for 26 years, starting off at the Air Force Academy and retiring as a full Colonel. I was taught, served, and commanded my A-10 Fighter Squadron with the three core values of: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. These values are sorely lacking in Congress these days.
I have never been involved in politics before, but I also don't walk by a problem. I am the youngest of five kids and my father died suddenly when I was 12, changing my life forever. In between heart attacks before he died, I got to speak with him and, among other things, he said "Make me proud." My mom, now a widow and single mother of five, went back to work and back to school to continue his legacy of providing opportunities for her children. I was brought up with the values of hard work, service, education, and making a difference with your life.
As I continued on my life journey, my own passion to make a difference grew and deepened. I have a fire in my belly to fix things that are broken and make things right that are wrong. Watching DC degrade to partisan bickering and gridlock, I started to feel a call to duty to step up and serve the people of Southern Arizona in Congress. The oath of office of a Member of Congress is the same exact wording as the oath of a military officer. I consider this my next assignment in civilian clothes.