Former Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona announces dementia diagnosis, plans to step back from public life
Source: NBC News
Dec. 30, 2025, 10:49 PM EST
Former Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona announced Tuesday that he would step back from public life after he was diagnosed with dementia.
"I was blessed 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, a Republican, said in a statement. "However, the time has come for me to withdraw from public life. I have been diagnosed with a neurological disease manifesting as dementia."
Kyl, 83, served in Congress for almost 30 years, representing Arizona in both chambers. He served in the House from 1987 to 1995 and then in the Senate from 1995 until 2013. When he left Congress, he was Senate minority whip, the No. 2 Republican in the chamber.
He later became a lobbyist at the firm Covington and Burling. During that time, he helped guide the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh through the Senate.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/former-sen-jon-kyl-arizona-dementia-diagnosis-step-back-public-life-rcna251642
Glad we have 2 (D)s in the Senate there now.
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