Jon Kyl withdraws from public life after announcing dementia diagnosis
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Former Republican Sen. Jon Kyl announced Tuesday that he is retiring from public life after being diagnosed with dementia.
Kyl, 83, has been one of Arizona’s most prominent Republicans during a career that spanned nearly three decades in both houses of Congress, including as Senate minority whip.
“I am fortunate to represent the people of Arizona in Congress and to have numerous other opportunities to contribute to the political and civic life of our nation and state,” Kyl said in a statement. “However, it is time for me to retire from public life. I have been diagnosed with a neurological disease that manifests itself as dementia.”
Kyl represented Arizona’s 4th Congressional District in the House from 1987 to 1995 before serving in the U.S. Senate from 1995 to 2013.
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Former Arizona Republican Sen. Jon Kyl announced Tuesday that he is retiring from public life after being diagnosed with dementia. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
After leaving the Senate, Kyl joined the lobbying firm Covington and Burling and was appointed in 2018 by then-Gov. Doug Ducey will fill the vacancy left by the death of former Senator John McCain.
Kyl served several months in the Senate before rejoining the firm in 2019, where he helped confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
The longtime Arizona lawmaker described himself as a “very lucky man” despite the diagnosis.
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Former Arizona Republican Senator Jon Kyl (left) and Bruce Babbitt (right) wave to the crowd during the state address of Arizona Governor and Secretary of the Interior former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey on Monday, January 14, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
“My family and I are now embarking on a path filled with moments of joy and ever-increasing challenges,” he said. “I am inexpressibly grateful for their love and support in these coming days, as well as every day of my life.”
Kyl moved to Arizona as an 18-year-old freshman to attend the University of Arizona, where he met his wife.
The university said Kyl devoted more than two decades to public service and left a lasting impact on water policy, national defense and intelligence.
“His leadership, integrity, and commitment to service reflect the highest ideals of public life,” the university said in a statement. he said.
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Former Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., announced he is retiring from public life after being diagnosed with dementia. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said Kyl gave “decades of his life” serving Arizona and added that he was grateful for the former GOP senator’s “dedication to our state and our country.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
