Yes, we all know how he beat accusations of "carpetbagging" by saying he had lived in Hanoi longer than anywhere else...But the fact remains that his victory in the primary was a close one:
Arizona's 1st congressional district, 1982 (Republican primary):
John McCain - 15,363 (31.83%)
Ray Russell - 12,500 (25.89%)
James A. Mack - 10,675 (22.11%)
Donna Carlson-West - 9,736 (20.17%)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_history_of_John_McCain
"McCain's strategy for winning the primary focused primarily on Scottsdale. Mack, Carlson-West and Russell's stomping grounds were Mesa and Tempe. Much to McCain's surprise, the popular longtime Scottsdale Mayor Herb Drinkwater immediately embraced his candidacy. The mayor lined up support from the rest of the City Council and other Scottsdale community leaders."
http://archive.azcentral.com/news/e...es/2007/03/01/20070301mccainbio-chapter5.html
POD: Drinkwater backs one of the other candidates, who goes on to defeat McCain in the primary. Does McCain still become a senator?