Looking to run against Gov. Doug Ducey, fellow Republican gubernatorial hopeful Ken Bennett says, if elected, he would not appoint Cindy McCain to fill a vacancy in the event that Senator John McCain steps down or passes away.

The former Arizona Secretary of State is using the question of who would replace the senator to round up votes and raise money for his run for governor.

In an exclusive interview with Capitol Media Services, Bennett said he’s tapping into Republican voters who are not fans of McCain in an effort to deny incumbent Doug Ducey the GOP nomination.

"So, of course, we're trying to differentiate [ourselves] from Doug Ducey,” Bennett said. “I'm not running against John McCain, though. But, you know, Ducey and McCain are pretty tight.”

Bennett said those who share his viewpoint about McCain should donate $5 to his campaign.

If Bennett receives 4,000 donations in that amount, he would qualify for more than $800,000 dollars in public funding for the GOP primary.