McCain turns 80 one day before GOP primary

Arizona Sen. John McCain turned 80 on Monday, just one day before he will face off against a Republican challenger in the state’s primary.

McCain is expected to win Tuesday's primary. A CNN/ORC poll released last week had him ahead of his challenger, Kelli Ward, 55%-29%.

Ward has made McCain’s age part of the campaign. Last week, the physician said that McCain was too “old” and “weak” to serve.

In an interview with MSNBC’s Chuck Todd Thursday, Ward said that she hoped retirement would be her birthday gift to the long-time senator and 2008 GOP presidential nominee.

"John McCain has fallen down on the job,” Ward said. “He’s gotten weak. He’s gotten old. I do want to wish him a happy birthday. He’s going to be 80 on Monday, and I want to give him the best birthday present ever: the gift of retirement.”

Despite a comfortable lead in the primary, McCain’s re-election fight is closer — though recent polling shows he still has a comfortable lead. In the CNN/ORC poll, McCain led Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, 52% to 39%.

McCain has had a difficult time with how closely to align himself with Donald Trump. He has said he supports his party's nominee, but has criticized many of Trump's comments and proposals.