Jon Kyl facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jon Kyl
Jon Kyl in 2004
United States Senator from Arizona
In office September 4, 2018 – December 31, 2018
Appointed by	Doug Ducey
Preceded by	John McCain
Succeeded by	Martha McSally
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Dennis DeConcini
Succeeded by	Jeff Flake
Senate Minority Whip
In office December 19, 2007 – January 3, 2013
Leader	Mitch McConnell
Preceded by	Trent Lott
Succeeded by	John Cornyn
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's 4th district
In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by	Eldon Rudd
Succeeded by	John Shadegg
Personal details
Born	Jon Llewellyn Kyl (1942-04-25)April 25, 1942 Oakland, Nebraska, U.S.
Died	September 17, 2026(2026-09-17) (aged 84) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Caryll Collins ​ (m. 1964)​
Children	2
Parent	John Kyl (father)
Education	University of Arizona (BA, LLB)

Jon Llewellyn Kyl was an American leader and lawmaker from the state of Arizona. He served as a United States Senator during two different periods. First, he worked in the Senate from 1995 until 2013. Later, he returned briefly in 2018. He was a member of the Republican Party. He also served in the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 1995.

In the Senate, Kyl became an influential leader. He held the position of Senate Minority Whip from 2007 to 2013. In that job, he helped organize votes for his party. Before entering politics, he worked as a lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2006, Time magazine named him one of America's best senators. He worked closely with other famous leaders, including long-serving Arizona senator John McCain.

Who Was Jon Kyl?

Jon Kyl was a well-known public servant who spent decades working in government. He helped write important federal laws for the United States. Lawmakers in Washington respected his careful study of complex issues. He was known for working quietly behind the scenes to solve problems.

He believed strongly in conservative ideas. These ideas often focus on limited government spending and strong national security. Magazines and political groups often ranked him as one of the most conservative senators. In 2010, Time placed him on the 100 most influential people in the world list.

Early Life and Education

Kyl was born on April 25, 1942, in Oakland, Nebraska. His father was John Henry Kyl, a teacher at Nebraska State Teachers College. His mother was Arlene Griffith Kyl. His father's family had moved to the United States from the Netherlands. His father later became a Congressman from the state of Iowa. The family moved to Bloomfield, Iowa, where young Jon grew up.

Kyl finished high school in 1960 and moved southwest to study in Arizona. He enrolled at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He was a hardworking student and graduated with honors in 1964. During his college years, he joined the Pi Kappa Alpha student fraternity. Later, Doug Ducey, who became governor of Arizona, joined the same fraternity.

After his undergraduate degree, Kyl decided to study the law. He attended the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona. He did very well in his legal studies. He became the editor-in-chief of the school's legal journal, the Arizona Law Review. He completed his law degree in 1966.

After law school, Kyl moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to practice law. He joined a well-known firm named Jennings, Strouss & Salmon. He worked as an attorney and as a lobbyist, helping clients navigate government rules. He also worked for the Mountain States Legal Foundation based in Denver, Colorado. These jobs taught him how government policies affect real businesses and communities.

Kyl was a member of a church community following Presbyterian traditions. He married Caryll Collins in 1964. Together, they raised two children and later welcomed four grandchildren. His family remained an important source of support throughout his long career.

Service in the U.S. House of Representatives

Official congressional portrait of Jon Kyl

In 1986, Kyl decided to run for public office. He ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He wanted to represent Arizona's 4th congressional district. He won that first race by a wide margin against candidate Philip R. Davis of the Democratic Party.

Kyl served in the House of Representatives from 1987 until 1995. Voters in his district re-elected him three times because they trusted his work. In 1988, he defeated a candidate from the Libertarian Party. In 1990, he won another victory against a Democratic challenger.

Every ten years, the country counts all its people in the 1990 census. After that count, states redraw their voting boundaries. Arizona changed the borders of Kyl's district. His district now centered on the area around Phoenix, often called the Valley of the Sun. Even with new borders, he won his seat again in 1992 against candidate Walter R. Mybeck II.

Work on Historic Shipwrecks

While serving in the House, Kyl helped pass an interesting environmental and historic law. He supported the Abandoned Shipwrecks Act of 1987. This law gave ownership of historic sunken ships near coastlines to state governments.

Before this law, private treasure hunters often searched underwater wrecks. Sometimes they took valuable items and damaged historical sites. The new law allowed states to protect these wrecks as historic treasures. President Ronald Reagan signed this bill into law in April 1988.

Career in the United States Senate

In 1994, Senator Dennis DeConcini decided to retire from his Senate seat. Kyl chose to run for this open position representing the entire state. He ran a strong campaign and defeated Representative Samuel G. Coppersmith. Kyl won with 54 percent of the vote and took office in January 1995.

Winning Re-Election

Kyl quickly earned the trust of Arizona voters through his regular public visits. In the election of 2000, he ran for a second Senate term. Neither major party ran a candidate against him, allowing him to win 79 percent of the vote. Minor party candidates, including Vance Hansen of the Green Party and Barry Hess, received smaller shares.

His third campaign took place in 2006. This election was much more competitive and closely watched across the country. His main opponent was Jim Pederson, a former leader of the Arizona Democratic Party. Another candidate on the ballot was Richard Mack. Both major campaigns spent millions of dollars sharing their ideas with voters.

During the 2006 race, candidates debated rules for borders and people moving to America. Kyl had worked on ideas to allow workers from other countries to enter legally under a guest worker program. Some leaders also discussed whether to grant amnesty, which means legal forgiveness for rule-breaking. In the end, Kyl won the election with 53 percent of the vote.

Senate Leadership Roles

In the Senate, lawmakers select trusted peers to guide their party decisions. Kyl quickly rose through these leadership positions. Between 2003 and 2007, he served as the Republican Policy Committee chairman. In this role, he researched important bills and explained them to other senators.

Next, he was chosen as the Republican Conference chairman in 2007. In December 2007, his colleagues elected him to an even higher post: Senate Minority Whip. The whip counts votes, talks to lawmakers, and keeps party members working together.

Kyl was the first Arizona Republican to hold this top leadership position. Years earlier, Democrat Ernest W. McFarland had served as Senate Majority Leader. Working alongside Republican leader Mitch McConnell, Kyl helped shape major decisions across the country.

Voting on Judges and Important Laws

One of the most important duties of a senator is reviewing judicial appointments. The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in America. Kyl served as an active member on the Committee on the Judiciary, which reviews nominees.

He voted to confirm John Roberts to lead the court as Chief Justice. He also voted to confirm Samuel Alito as an associate justice. However, when President Barack Obama nominated judges Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, Kyl voted against them because he disagreed with their legal views.

Kyl also served on the influential Committee on Finance. This group handles taxes, international trade, and major government benefit programs. Additionally, he worked on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to find ways to reduce national debt.

In late 2010, the Senate debated the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. This law provided healthcare for rescue workers hurt during the 9/11 attacks. Democratic leader Harry Reid wanted senators to work during the holiday break to pass it. Kyl preferred to let lawmakers spend time with their families, but the bill passed on December 22.

In 2012, Kyl voted against an international agreement by the UN. This treaty was the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Kyl believed American laws already protected disabled citizens and did not want international rules to override local power.

Return to the Senate in 2018

Kyl returned to the Senate in 2018

Kyl retired from the Senate in January 2013 and returned to private law practice. He was succeeded by Republican Jeff Flake. Kyl joined a well-known law and lobbying group called Covington & Burling. During this time, he helped advise businesses and leaders on federal legal matters.

In 2018, President Donald Trump nominated judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Kyl was asked to act as a sherpa for the nominee. In politics, a sherpa is an experienced guide who introduces a nominee to senators and prepares them for hearings. Kyl guided Kavanaugh through meetings and helped with the confirmation process.

A Brief Final Term

In August 2018, Arizona Senator John McCain passed away while in office. Arizona law required the governor to appoint a replacement from the same political party. Governor Doug Ducey asked Kyl to step in and fill the empty seat. Kyl agreed to serve temporarily so Arizona would have full representation in Congress.

Returning to the Senate by appointment was very rare. Kyl was only the sixth person in modern American history to return this way. The last person to do so was Norris Cotton from New Hampshire in 1975. Kyl was sworn into office on September 4, 2018.

During this brief term, Kyl voted to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. He also served on several groups, including the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Kyl had promised he would only serve for a few months. He resigned from office on December 31, 2018. Governor Ducey then appointed Congresswoman Martha McSally to take the seat. Kyl returned once more to his work at Covington & Burling in 2019.

Key Policy Ideas and Beliefs

Jon Kyl speaking to citizens in 2017

Throughout his long career, Kyl followed traditional conservative principles. He believed government should keep taxes low so businesses can grow. He signed a pledge with Americans for Tax Reform promising never to raise taxes on citizens. The group American Conservative Union gave his voting record very high ratings.

Defense and International Treaties

Kyl took a strong interest in the American military and national defense. He wanted the armed forces to have modern equipment and strong funding. He believed a strong military kept the country safe from enemies abroad.

In 2010, the Senate considered a new nuclear arms control treaty with Russia called New START. Kyl opposed ratifying this treaty during the post-election lame-duck session. He worried it might limit the nation's defense options. However, the treaty received enough votes to pass.

Rules for Internet Use and Gambling

Kyl was an early leader in making rules for the internet. During the late 1990s, he worked with Representative Bob Goodlatte to write laws limiting online gambling. He worried that internet betting would harm families and young people.

In 2006, Kyl worked with Representative Jim Leach to pass the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. This law made it illegal for banks to process payments for unauthorized gambling websites. The law was added to a larger bill and approved late at night before elections. When government offices delayed writing rules for this act, Kyl delayed votes on nominees for the U.S. Treasury Department to speed up their work.

Healthcare Laws

Kyl believed healthcare decisions should stay between doctors and their patients. He argued that federal programs could raise costs and increase the national debt.

In December 2009, Kyl voted against the Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare. He also voted against the follow-up law known as the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. He argued that private competition would provide better care than government programs.

Final Years and Legacy

Kyl and Senator Tom Cotton at the Hudson Institute

After leaving government for good, Kyl continued sharing his knowledge on public policy. He spoke at policy groups, such as the Hudson Institute, discussing national security alongside leaders like Senator Tom Cotton. He also helped students at the University of Arizona learn about the legal system and government service.

In December 2025, Kyl shared that doctors had diagnosed him with dementia. He announced that he was stepping away completely from public life. The University of Arizona agreed to keep his personal papers, speeches, and records in its library so future students could study his work.

Kyl passed away on September 17, 2026, at his home in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 84. Leaders from both major political parties praised his long career of public service. Major newspapers, including The New York Times, remembered him as a thoughtful leader who worked hard to understand the details of every law he wrote.

Summary of Achievements

• Served eight years in the United States House of Representatives (1987–1995)
• Represented Arizona in the United States Senate for over eighteen years (1995–2013, 2018)
• Chosen by fellow lawmakers as Senate Minority Whip, the second-highest Republican leadership post
• Protected ocean history by passing the Abandoned Shipwrecks Act
• Guided important legal nominees through the confirmation process for the Supreme Court of the United States
• Ranked among America's top lawmakers by national publications for his hard work and careful study

See also

In Spanish: Jon Kyl para niños