Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has chosen former Republican Senator Jon Kyl to succeed the late John McCain’s seat. The Arizona Republic reported that Ducey will make the announcement at 10AM local time.
From The Arizona Republic:
Kyl, who served alongside McCain during his 18 years in the U.S. Senate, will fly to Washington, D.C., following Ducey’s announcement. He retired in 2013 after rising to become the second-highest-ranking Republican senator.Kyl has agreed to serve at least through the end of the year, a representative for Ducey said. If he opts to step down after the end of the session, the Republican governor would be required to appoint another replacement, the aide said.The governor, who has long called Kyl a mentor, contacted the former senator in the hours following McCain’s Aug. 25 death. The two have forged a close bond and are like-minded, pro-growth conservatives.
Kyl represented Arizona in the House from 1987 until 1995. Then he served in the Senate from 1995 to 2013 and held the tile as minority whip.
An aide said that Ducey has been thinking about replacements since McCain received his brain cancer diagnosis in 2017.
After McCain passed away, Ducey contacted Kyl and told him he “was the best person to take this seat.” Kyl talked to his wife and then informed Ducey he would take the spot:
“There is no one in Arizona more prepared to represent our state in the U.S. Senate than Jon Kyl,” Ducey said in a statement. “He understands how the Senate functions and will make an immediate and positive impact benefiting all Arizonans. I am deeply grateful to Senator Kyl for agreeing to succeed his friend and college of so many years.“Every single day that Jon Kyl represents Arizona in the United States Senate is a day when our state is being well-served.”
Kyl could have his swearing in ceremony Tuesday night, but it will probably happen on Wednesday.
This means Kyl will have an opportunity to vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Kyl served as Kavanaugh’s “sherpa” during the confirmation process, which meant that he was the nominee’s “special escort to help him meet with senators.”
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