Former Sen. Jon Kyl has died
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Former U.S. Sen. John Kyl (R-Ariz.) in 2018 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images
Jon Kyl, who represented Arizona in the U.S. Senate for 18 years, has died. He was 84.
The big picture: Kyl was an influential Republican, respected statesman and legislative workhorse known for his conservative principles, skilled use of Senate procedures and deep knowledge of water and judicial issues.
Between the lines: Because he served alongside Sen. John McCain, Kyl spent all three of his terms as Arizona's junior senator, but established himself as a tremendously influential senator in his own right.
- TIME magazine named him one of the 10 best senators in 2006 and one of the world's 100 most influential leaders in 2010, dubbing him "the operator" who was responsible for "shaping the Republican agenda in the Senate on everything from abortion and judicial appointments to national security and tax cuts."
Flashback: Kyl was an attorney with a specialty in water issues who was first elected to the U.S. House in 1986, going on to serve four terms.
- In 1994, he was elected to the open Senate seat vacated by three-term Democratic incumbent Dennis DeConcini.
- He rose to Senate minority whip in 2007, holding the position until his 2013 retirement.
Kyl briefly returned to the Senate in late 2018 after Gov. Doug Ducey appointed him to fill the late John McCain's seat. Prior to the appointment, he'd been guiding Brett Kavanaugh through his Supreme Court confirmation.
What they're saying: "We know that Jon belonged to all of Arizona, a state he loved and explored with vigor, curiosity, and wonder," his family said in a statement.
- "Serving his state and nation in Congress was a privilege and responsibility he honored and respected. We are grateful for his full and meaningful public life."
- Kyl died of complications from a neurological disease, per his family.
- In December, he announced that he was diagnosed with dementia and was withdrawing from public life.