By Staff Reporter |

Former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl, a lifelong Republican, passed away on Thursday at the age of 84. 

The Kyl family said the former senator died due to complications following his dementia diagnosis in December 2025. 

Kyl was born and raised in Nebraska before coming to Arizona to attend the University of Arizona, where he earned his bachelor’s and law degrees. 

Kyl served in the Senate from 1995 to 2013, and later by appointment in 2018 following the passing of former Sen. John McCain. Kyl was the Senate Minority Whip from 2007 to 2013. 

Prior to the Senate, Kyl represented the 4th District in the House of Representatives from 1987 to 1995. 

During Kyl’s 26 years in Congress, 18 of his bills became law. 

Chief among those bills was the Arizona Water Act Settlement of 2004, which secured key water rights for Native American tribal communities. 

Prior to joining elected office, Kyl’s efforts as an attorney for the Salt River Project laid the groundwork for the Arizona Groundwater Management Act and the creation of the Arizona Department of Water Resources. 

Other bills included legislation that authorized funding for crime victims, authorized land exchanges allowing the cities of Yuma and Sedona to develop property, arranged for prisoner copays for certain healthcare services, and barred nepotism within the federal court appointments.

Kyl is survived by his wife of 62 years, Caryll Collins, their two children, John Kyl and Kristine Kyl Gavin, and four grandchildren. 

Kyl’s legacy as an effective leader, lawmaker, and lawyer has inspired widespread bipartisan mourning over his passing. 

Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05), the Republican nominee for governor, issued a statement describing Kyl as a man of distinction, integrity, and unwavering dedication to Arizona who had deep understanding of the issues plaguing the state.

“He was an exemplary public servant who understood Arizona, fought tirelessly for our interests, and approached his responsibilities with humility and conviction,” said Biggs. “May Senator Kyl always be remembered as a servant leader who loved Arizona and dedicated so much of his life to making our state and country stronger.”

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, the Republican nominee for attorney general, called Kyl “a work horse not a show horse.”

“He was always working big projects and solutions for Arizona,” said Petersen. “Arizona could use another Senator like him.” 

Former Gov. Doug Ducey commended Kyl for his “principled, thoughtful leadership” and said Kyl was a mentor and friend to him. Both Kyl and Ducey were members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

“I’ll miss him deeply,” said Ducey. 

Gov. Katie Hobbs described Kyl as a “dedicated statesman who always cared deeply for our state.” 

Rep. Yassamin Ansari, a Democrat, commended Kyl for his work on securing Arizona water rights.

“A true public servant who understood Arizona water better than anyone, Jon Kyl was devoted to the people he served, acted selflessly on their behalf, and went — simply — where he was most needed. His legacy will endure in Arizona,” said Ansari. 

Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat, also praised Kyl for his water rights work.

“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,” said Kelly. 

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell also issued a statement. 

“His quiet, principled and impactful leadership left a lasting remark on our state and our nation and for that we are forever grateful,” said Bidwell. 

In one of his final interviews near the end of his life, Kyl told KTAR that the most important thing Arizonans can do is exercise their civic duty. 

“If you really care about your future, if you care about your kids and your grandkids and so on, make a little time for participating in one of the political parties or some other way where you can say at the end of your life ‘Yeah, I did something,’” said Kyl. 

Rep. Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08) recalled some wisdom imparted by Kyl.

“Jon once said that ‘real leadership means tackling tough problems ourselves and not leaving them to our children,’” said Hamadeh. “That is a standard worth remembering as we mark his passing and keep his family in our thoughts.”

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