Jon Kyl

Jon Kyl
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Name	Jon Kyl
Caption	Official portrait, 2018
State	Arizona
Jr/sr	United States Senator
Term start1	January 3, 1995
Term end1	January 3, 2013
Predecessor1	Dennis DeConcini
Successor1	Jeff Flake
Term start2	September 5, 2018
Term end2	December 31, 2018
Predecessor2	John McCain
Successor2	Martha McSally
State1	Arizona
District1	4th
Term start1	January 3, 1987
Term end1	January 3, 1995
Predecessor1	Eldon Rudd
Successor1	John Shadegg
Office3	Senate Minority Whip
Leader3	Mitch McConnell
Term start3	January 3, 2008
Term end3	January 3, 2013
Predecessor3	Trent Lott
Successor3	John Cornyn
Party	Republican
Spouse	Caryll Collins
Alma mater	University of Arizona (BA, JD)
Branch	United States Army Reserve
Serviceyears	1964–1969
Rank	First Lieutenant

Jon Kyl is an American attorney and politician who served as a United States Senator from Arizona from 1995 to 2013 and again briefly in 2018. A member of the Republican Party, he was the Senate Minority Whip from 2008 to 2013 and previously represented Arizona's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. Known for his expertise in national security and tax policy, Kyl was a leading conservative voice in the United States Congress and played a key role in debates over judicial nominations and defense spending.

Early life and education

Jon Kyl was born in Oakland, Nebraska, and moved with his family to Bismarck, North Dakota, before settling in Arizona. His father, John Henry Kyl, served as a U.S. Representative from Iowa. He attended the University of Arizona, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1966. During this period, he also served in the United States Army Reserve, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. After law school, he began his legal career in Phoenix, Arizona, working at the firm now known as Jennings, Strouss & Salmon.

Political career

Kyl's political career began with his election to the United States House of Representatives in 1986, representing a district encompassing parts of Phoenix and Scottsdale. In the House of Representatives, he served on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, establishing a reputation as a staunch conservative. In 1994, he was elected to the United States Senate, defeating Sam Coppersmith to succeed retiring Democrat Dennis DeConcini. In the Senate, Kyl served on influential committees including the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the Senate Armed Services Committee. He was elected Senate Minority Whip in 2007, serving under Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Kyl chose not to seek re-election in 2012 and was succeeded by fellow Republican Jeff Flake. Following the death of Senator John McCain in August 2018, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey appointed Kyl to temporarily fill the vacant seat, a role he held until his resignation at the end of 2018.

Post-Senate career

After leaving the Senate, Kyl joined the Washington, D.C. law and lobbying firm Covington & Burling as a senior advisor. He has been frequently called upon for his policy expertise, notably serving as the "sherpa" for President Donald Trump's second Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, during his contentious Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation process in 2018. Kyl has also served on corporate boards, including for the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, and remains a commentator on issues of defense policy and constitutional law.

Political positions

Throughout his career, Kyl was a consistent conservative, advocating for lower taxes, a strong national defense, and strict constructionist judges. He was a principal author of the Bush tax cuts and a leading opponent of the Affordable Care Act. On foreign policy, he was a steadfast supporter of a robust military, backing interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was a vocal advocate for missile defense systems. He held a strong anti-abortion stance, receiving high ratings from the National Right to Life Committee, and was a key figure in opposing the New START Treaty with Russia during the Obama administration. His record earned him consistently high scores from conservative groups like the American Conservative Union and the Chamber of Commerce.

Personal life

Jon Kyl is married to Caryll Collins, and they have two adult children. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has been active in its community affairs. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hiking in Arizona's desert landscapes. Since retiring from elected office, he splits his time between Arizona and the Washington, D.C. area, where he continues his work in law and public policy advocacy. Category:1942 births Category:Living people Category:American lawyers Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Arizona Category:United States senators from Arizona Category:Republican Party United States senators