WASHINGTON — Former Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) has been selected to assume the Senate seat held by John McCain until at least the end of the current Congressional term, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced Tuesday.
Speaking during an afternoon press conference, Ducey said that he hopes Kyl will serve longer, but that the former senator has not yet agreed to stay until 2020, when a special election for the remainder of McCain’s term will be held.
Cindy McCain, who was herself rumored to be a potential successor to her late husband, applauded the news — first reported by the Arizona Republic — earlier Tuesday on Twitter.
Jon Kyl is a dear friend of mine and John’s. It’s a great tribute to John that he is prepared to go back into public service to help the state of Arizona.
— Cindy McCain (@cindymccain) September 4, 2018
Kyl, who is 76, previously served in the Senate from 1995 through 2013, assuming the role of minority whip from 2007 through his retirement
The White House recently tapped Kyl to serve as the “sherpa” for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, a role in which the former senator helped the nominee navigate Capitol Hill and meet with lawmakers.
