McSally, Sinema face each other in Arizona Senate debate Source: AP

Two congresswomen will face off in the sole Arizona Senate debate Monday evening, capping a contest that could determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. Martha McSally is a former fighter pilot who represented a Tucson district that voted for Hillary Clinton and was a Trump critic during 2016.

PHOTO: This July 16, 2014, file photo shows the U.S. Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington.

With just over three weeks remaining until November's midterm election s, it is becoming increasingly clear that both Washington and statehouses around the country could be in for major changes. No one race can tell the tale of this year's elections, but some common themes have emerged, including the backlash against President Donald Trump , the "pink wave" of female candidates running for office, a upswing in youth activism and engagement on key issues that could swing the balance of power, and an influx of veterans attempting to parlay their military experience into legislative roles.

Correction: Border-Abandoned Migrant Families story

In a story Oct. 12 about immigrants in Arizona, The Associated Press reported erroneously the name of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Smugglers in recent weeks have been abandoning large groups of mostly Guatemalan adult and child migrants near Arizona's boundary with Mexico, alarming Border Patrol officials who say the trend puts hundreds of children and adults at risk PHOENIX - Smugglers in recent weeks have been abandoning large groups of Guatemalan and other Central American migrants in Arizona's harsh cactus-studded Sonoran Desert near the border with Mexico, alarming Border Patrol officials who say the trend is putting hundreds of children at risk.

2 female Arizona Senate candidates on a Brett Kavanaugh tightrope

In a small office full of Democratic women steamed over Brett Kavanaugh, Senate candidate Kyrsten Sinema carefully avoided telling reporters whether she thought sexual assault allegations against President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee were true. "The Senate can wait for the thorough investigation and then make a decision based on the conclusion of that investigation," Sinema said.

They could be Arizona’s governor – and their last names aren’t Ducey or Garcia

Katie Hobbs and Steve Gaynor are running for Arizona Secretary of State, but either of them could end up as governor. See their stances on big issues They could be Arizona's governor - and their last names aren't Ducey or Garcia Katie Hobbs and Steve Gaynor are running for Arizona Secretary of State, but either of them could end up as governor.

Republicans lack votes – and appetite – to end ‘Obamacare’

Arizona's new senator says he'd vote to repeal the nation's health care law. That's one additional Republican ready to obliterate the statute because his predecessor, the late Sen. John McCain, helped derail the party's drive with his fabled thumbs-down vote last year.

GOP lacks votes _ and appetite _ to end ‘Obamacare’ Source: AP

Arizona's new senator says he'd vote to repeal the nation's health care law. That's one additional Republican ready to obliterate the statute because his predecessor, the late Sen. John McCain, helped derail the party's drive with his fabled thumbs-down vote last year.

How Arizona will fill John McCain’s seat — and who might fill it

As the nation mourns the death of John McCain , Arizona's Republican governor must soon decide who will replace him in the Senate. Under Arizona law, it's up to Gov. Doug Ducey to fill Senate vacancies until a special election is held in 2020.

What I learned about John McCain during 20 years covering him

It was on that bus rolling through New Hampshire, as McCain was poised for arguably his finest moment politically, that I truly came to know him. What I learned about John McCain during 20 years covering him It was on that bus rolling through New Hampshire, as McCain was poised for arguably his finest moment politically, that I truly came to know him.

Senate veteran returns to action as Supreme Court Sherpa

Jon Kyl trekked back to the Capitol with a name tag hanging around his neck, but he didn't need one. Kyl was a Republican senator from Arizona for three terms, which is why Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the White House wanted him to guide President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee through the confirmation process.

As Trump prepares to unveil Supreme Court pick, both parties…

With hours to go until President Trump reveals his choice to succeed Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court, the White House on Monday named former senator Jon Kyl of Arizona as the "sherpa" who will guide the eventual nominee through the Senate, while Democrats and Republicans continued to spar over the four leading candidates. Kyl, a Republican who rose to the No.

Is Facebook biased again conservatives? It pledges to investigate

During his testimony on Capitol Hill last month, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg batted down charges the giant social network has a liberal bent. But this week, Facebook said it would bring in advisers to probe whether it suppresses conservative voices, the latest in a post-Cambridge Analytica goodwill campaign to rebuild trust with its 2.2 billion users.

Former senator helping Sessions in confirmation process

President-elect Donald Trump's choice for U.S. attorney general is getting some help from a former Senate colleague in making it through the confirmation process. Ex-Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona sat behind Sen. Jeff Sessions during the Judiciary Committee's two-day hearing and the Alabama Republican said at one point he was honored that Kyl was assisting him.