John McCain would have wanted a Hispanic woman to take his place in the US Senate, his former campaign manager said.

“He’s always been someone who’s encouraged participation in politics, especially in the Republican party, with minority women,” Rick Davis said during a Monday news conference, The Arizona Republic reported.

“I think a Hispanic woman probably would’ve been his pick for a successor if he would’ve lived long enough.”

The late Arizona senator spent time over the years contemplating what the replacement process would look like, Davis said.

“I think he had a different plan in mind in those days, and I think he was looking forward to retiring after this last term in office and enjoying that back porch in Sedona,” Davis said. “…He never got that far.”

McCain died Saturday at age 81 after a year-long battle with brain cancer.

Arizona’s Gov. Doug Ducey said he will announce McCain’s replacement after the maverick Republican is buried Sunday.

Contenders include McCain’s widow, Cindy, Ducey’s chief of staff, Kirk Adams, former GOP gubernatorial candidate Barbara Barrett and former Sen. Jon Kyl.