Arizona Republican Sen. Jon Kyl told Arizona Governor Doug Ducey he plans to retire on December 31 after serving these last few months after John McCain passed away. From The Daily Caller:
“Thank you for appointing me to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy created by John McCain’s death,” Kyl wrote in a letter to Ducey. “It has been an honor and a privilege to again serve the people of Arizona.”“When I accepted your appointment, I agreed to complete the work of the 115th Congress and then reevaluate continuing to serve. I have concluded that it would be best if I resign so that your new appointee can begin the new term with all other Senators in January 2019 and can serve a full two (potentially four) years. Therefore, I will resign from the U.S. Senate effective 11:59 p.m. EST December 31, 2018,” Kyl concluded. (RELATED: Jon Kyl Will Replace McCain In The Senate)
Kyl served in the Senate from 1995 to 2013 and held the title as minority whip.
Ducey asked Kyl to take over McCain’s seat and he agreed. People expected Kyl to leave at the end of the year.
From AZCentral.com:
In a statement, Ducey praised Kyl’s second stint on Capitol Hill, saying he served with “integrity and statesmanship” as the nation faced important issues.“Senator Kyl didn’t need to return to the Senate,” Ducey said in a statement. “His legacy as one of Arizona’s most influential and important political figures was already without question. But he did return, and I remain deeply grateful for his willingness to step up and serve again when Arizona needed him. I wish him and his family all the best.”
Ducey’s office hasn’t dropped any hints who he will appoint, but prospects include Rep. Martha McSally, who lost the senate race to replace retiring Jeff Flake, and Ducey’s former chief of staff Kirk Adams.
Arizona will have a special election in 2020 to fill the last two years of McCain’s term.
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