Kyl returned to Senate in 2018 to shepherd Kavanaugh’s confirmation
Jon Kyl, a Republican former US senator from Arizona who served three terms and helped shepherd Brett Kavanaugh through his Supreme Court confirmation, died Thursday at 84, his family announced. The cause was complications from a neurological disease, according to a statement. Kyl had announced in December that he had been diagnosed with dementia.
“We know that Jon belonged to all of Arizona, a state he loved and explored with vigor, curiosity and wonder. Serving his state and nation in Congress was a privilege and responsibility he honored and respected,” his family said.
An attorney, Kyl won election to the US House in 1986 and to the Senate in 1994, where he served three terms. He rose to become the Republican whip and held the position from 2007 until departing the chamber at the start of 2013, when his party was in the minority.
After leaving office, Kyl practiced law and lobbied. He returned to the public eye in 2018 to assist with the confirmation of Kavanaugh, a federal appeals court judge whom Donald Trump had nominated to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court.
As Kavanaugh’s nomination was being considered, Arizona’s Republican governor, Doug Ducey, appointed Kyl to fill the seat left vacant by Senator John McCain’s death. Kyl served in the chamber for the final three months of 2018. He voted to confirm Kavanaugh before resigning; Republican Martha McSally succeeded him.
Katie Hobbs, Arizona’s Democratic governor, called Kyl “a dedicated statesman who always cared deeply for our state.” John Thune, the Republican Senate majority leader, said Kyl “loved his state of Arizona and was a true legislator’s legislator.” Thune added that Kyl “was an incredibly hard worker and honorably returned to service when his state called. He was a dear friend and will be missed.”
Kyl disclosed his dementia diagnosis in December.