On Tuesday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced the selection of Jon Kyl to succeed the late Senator John McCain in Washington. Kyl, 76, who served 18 years as a senator and held the position of minority whip, was once considered one of the most powerful Republicans in the U.S. Senate.
Ducey told the press at a news conference at the Arizona Capitol that he expected Kyl to “hit the ground running” when he arrived in Washington, D.C.
The governor continued saying, “It’s not the time for newcomers, and now is not the time for on-the-job training.”
“Sen. Kyl is a beacon of integrity, highly regarded by people on both sides of the aisle and able to work across party lines to get results,” Ducey said. “There’s a reason he was considered one of the best senators in the country.”
According to USA Today, Kyl, who as agreed to serve at least through the end of the year, will likely be sworn into office on Wednesday.
At the news conference on Tuesday Kyl said, “I’m accepting this appointment to fill the seat vacated by the passing of my dear friend because of my sense of duty to the state I love and the institution of the Senate which I served for 18 years, and because the governor asked for my help.”
Cindy McCain, the wife of the late Senator John McCain, voiced her support for the Kyl’s appointment on Twitter saying, “Jon Kyl is a dear friend of mine and John’s,” she wrote. “It’s a great tribute to John that he is prepared to go back into public service to help the state of Arizona.”
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 has voiced that he does not plan to run for office once he completes this appointed term. If he chooses to step down after the end of the session, the governor will need to appoint another replacement.
Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Drew Angerer/Stringer
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