Arizona's Congressional Delegation Pays Respects to Jon Kyl

Members of Arizona's Congressional delegation are paying their respects to the late former Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) on social media.

Jon Kyl: A Life

Kyl's political career began in 1987, when he was elected to the House of Representatives and served four terms. One of Kyl's signature pieces of legislation was a 2004 water rights agreement with the Gila River Indian Community that delivered 313,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools' worth of water annually.

While he left office in 2013, Kyl remained a lobbyist who helped confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 and briefly finished the late Senator John McCain's (R-AZ) term after the latter passed.

Kyl retired from public life in December 2025 after he was diagnosed with dementia, and was confirmed to have passed away Wednesday night.

Arizona Pays Its Respects

"Senator Jon Kyl was an exemplary public servant who understood Arizona, fought tirelessly for our interests, and approached his responsibilities with humility and conviction," posted Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ). "His example demonstrated that public service can be carried out with principle, dignity, and a genuine devotion to the people one represents. My prayers are with his beloved wife, Caryll, their children, grandchildren, and the entire Kyl family as they mourn his passing."

"Senator Jon Kyl was an influential leader for Arizona and a true statesman who dedicated his life to serving the people in our state and our country with the highest possible standard," Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) posted.

Representative David Schweikert (R-AZ) wrote, "My condolences go out to the Kyl family today. Senator Jon Kyl will be remembered as a true statesman who always did right by Arizona and America. I was honored to have had the opportunity to serve with him."

"I join my fellow Arizonans in offering condolences on the passing of former Senator Jon Kyl," posted Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ), adding, "He served Arizona in Congress for many years and took part in some of the most difficult debates of his time. Jon once said that 'real leadership means tackling tough problems ourselves and not leaving them to our children.' That is a standard worth remembering as we mark his passing and keep his family in our thoughts."

The respect is bipartisan, as Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) wrote that "Gabby and I are thinking of Caryll and the Kyl family today. Jon served Arizona with distinction for nearly three decades. His landmark work securing historic tribal water settlements defined this state in ways that will last long after his passing. He was a true public servant who loved this state. Jon's legacy will endure."

Finally, Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ) posted, "Jon Kyl served Arizona honorably for more than three decades. He was a serious and principled lawmaker, with a mastery of policy that made him one of the most effective leaders our state has ever sent to Washington. His fingerprints are all over the issues that continue to define Arizona's future, especially water. I'm thinking of his wife Caryll, his loved ones, former staff and colleagues today."