Battered by voter frustration, McCain fends of toughest re-election challenge of his career

McCain faces toughest re-election challenge

PHOENIX — Defeated presidential candidate John McCain faces his toughest battle ever to keep his Arizona Senate seat.

Former talk-radio host J.D. Hayworth is hoping a wave of voter frustration with incumbent politicians will help him unseat McCain, who has spent decades fighting accusations he isn’t a true conservative.

McCain has moved to the right on hot-button issues like gays in the military and climate change. He’s built a campaign war chest of more than $5 million and called in popular conservative figures including former running mate Sarah Palin and newly elected Republican Senator Scott Brown.

Hayworth began using his conservative radio talk show to drum up opposition to McCain. He officially kicks off his campaign on Monday.