Former US Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, a 'workhorse' who shaped water policy, dies at 84
Also reported by PBS NewsHour
Summary
Former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, known for his work on water policy in the western U.S. and his role in confirming Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, has died at age 84. He retired after a long career in Congress and briefly returned in 2018 to fill Senator John McCain’s seat.Key Facts
- Jon Kyl died at age 84 from a neurological disorder after being diagnosed with dementia in late 2025.
- He served nearly 30 years in Congress, both in the House and Senate, representing Arizona.
- Kyl was influential in creating Arizona’s 1980 groundwater law to manage water in drought conditions.
- In 2004, he authored major legislation settling tribal water rights for the Gila River Indian Community.
- He was appointed to the Senate in 2018 by Governor Doug Ducey to fill the vacancy left by Senator John McCain.
- President Trump praised Kyl when he returned to the Senate in 2018.
- Kyl reached a leadership position as Senate minority whip during his last full Senate term.
- The Arizona State University Kyl Center for Water Policy is named after him.
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