Jon Kyl

Jon Kyl, born on April 25, 1942, is a prominent American politician and lawyer who made significant contributions to Arizona's political landscape. He served as a United States Senator from 1995 until 2013, and after the passing of John McCain in 2018, Kyl returned to the Senate briefly, marking a notable chapter in his political career.

Raised in Nebraska and Iowa, Kyl is the son of U.S. Representative John Henry Kyl and Arlene Kyl. He earned both his bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Arizona, establishing a foundation for his career as an attorney and lobbyist in Phoenix. His political journey began in the United States House of Representatives, where he served from 1987 to 1995 before being elected to the Senate in 1994.

During his tenure in the Senate, Kyl was recognized for his leadership and influence, serving as Senate Minority Whip from 2007 until his retirement in 2013. He was acknowledged by Time magazine in 2006 as one of America's Ten Best Senators and was ranked as the fourth-most conservative U.S. Senator by National Journal in 2007. His role in Republican policy leadership included chairing the Republican Policy Committee and the Republican Conference.

After retiring from the Senate, Kyl continued to impact national politics as an attorney and lobbyist, notably playing a key role in the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. His appointment to the Senate by Governor Doug Ducey in September 2018 made him the first person to return to the Senate via appointment since 1975. Kyl resigned from the Senate effective December 31, 2018, paving the way for Martha McSally to succeed him.