BREAKING: Longtime GOP Senator Passes Away

Former Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, whose decades in Congress included a return to Washington after John McCain’s death, has died at 84, according to a statement from Arizona Senate Republicans.

Kyl represented Arizona in the House and Senate for more than a quarter-century, becoming a prominent Republican voice on national security and helping negotiate water agreements critical to his home state.

He stepped away from public life in December 2025 after announcing he had been diagnosed with dementia.

Arizona Senate Republicans paid tribute to his legislative record and approach to public service.

“Arizona has lost one of its finest statesmen. Jon Kyl combined conservative conviction with an extraordinary command of policy and a deep respect for public service. He approached every issue with discipline, understood the details, and never lost sight of the people he represented.

“His leadership strengthened America’s national defense, protected taxpayers, advanced conservative policies, and helped secure Arizona’s water future. Whether he was negotiating complex water agreements or helping guide our nation’s security policy, Senator Kyl brought credibility, good judgment, and a determination to deliver results. He earned the respect of people across the political spectrum without compromising his principles.

“Just as important, Senator Kyl understood that public service is about more than holding office. It is about protecting the country, solving difficult problems, and leaving the next generation stronger than the one before it. He set an example that my colleagues and I continue to look to in our own service to Arizona.”

POLL: Should Fox News Fire Jessica Tarlov?

The statement also offered condolences to Kyl’s family.

“Denisse and I join Arizonans in mourning his passing and praying for Caryll, their children and grandchildren, and everyone who knew and loved him.”

A University of Arizona graduate, Kyl began representing the state’s 4th Congressional District in 1987. He spent eight years in the House before moving to the Senate following his 1994 election.

His Senate tenure ran from 1995 to 2013. He rose through Republican leadership to become the party’s Senate whip, its second-ranking position in the chamber.

Retirement did not end his time on Capitol Hill. In 2018, Kyl accepted an appointment to temporarily fill the vacancy left by McCain’s death, returning to the chamber where he had served three terms.

Back in Arizona, his work on water rights became a lasting part of his record. Kyl helped negotiate agreements governing access to the state’s water, including tribal water settlements.

Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy bears his name.

POLL: Should Ilhan Omar Be Deported If Found Guilty Of Immigration Fraud?