Arizona State Senate Candidate John McLean Killed in Suspected DUI Crash: ‘True Public Servant’

A Democratic candidate for an Arizona Senate seat was killed in an early morning DUI crash in Tucson on Friday, the police confirmed.

John McLean, 68, died after Michael Martin Creel, 27, allegedly ran a stop sign and hit his vehicle, according to Tucson Police. Creel is being held in the Pima County Jail on charges of manslaughter and aggravated DUI charges.

McLean died at the scene, and police determined that speed and impairment were known factors in the fatal crash.

According to court documents obtained by local outlets 13 News, Creel had a DUI case against him dismissed in December 2023.

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Arizona Senate Democrats also confirmed McLean’s passing.

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“We are devastated to learn of the passing of LD17 Senate candidate John McLean. He spent his final days fighting for a better Arizona and we could not be more grateful for his work and dedication to our great state,” wrote the group in a statement on X. “We extend our deepest condolences to John’s family and loved ones.”

McLean ran against Republican Vince Leach for the District 17 seat in the Arizona Senate. Leach also released a statement and sent his condolences to McLean’s family and friends.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the McLean family for their tragic loss today,” Leach said. “John was a good man who conducted himself honorably as a candidate. My deepest sympathies go out to John’s family and friends at this most difficult time.”

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Leach led McLean by more than 3,000 votes when the election results was published Friday afternoon. McLean, running for office for the first time, had conceded the race less than 24 hours before the crash.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to run as the Democratic candidate for the LD17 Senate seat. Although the result is not what we hoped for, I am proud of the work that so many people put into our campaign,” wrote McLean partly on his campaign’s Facebook page.

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State Sen. Mitzi Epstein offered her condolences in a statement after saying she had just spoken with McLean on Monday.

“I just spoke with John Monday this week. His optimism about Arizonans never wavered. He stepped up to do a volunteer job that required many hours each day, and he brought a smile and thoughtful words to every door. My heart goes out to his family,” Epstein wrote in a post on X.

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs also paid tribute to McLean, saying he was a “true public servant” and calling his death a “tragic loss.”

“John was a true public servant who cared deeply about Arizona. He always wanted to do what was best for his community and he will be remembered for that. This is a tragic loss and my heart breaks for his family and loved ones. Sending all my love to those who knew him,” Hobbs wrote in a post on X.

Police said the investigation of the fatal crash is underway.

Original article source: Arizona State Senate Candidate John McLean Killed in Suspected DUI Crash: ‘True Public Servant’