Former Sen. John Kyl of Arizona announces dementia diagnosis
by Lisa Hornung · UPIDec. 31 (UPI) -- Former Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with dementia and will step away from public life.
"I was blessed to represent the people of Arizona in Congress and to have numerous other opportunities to contribute to the political and civic life of our nation and state," Kyl said in a statement. "However, the time has come for me to withdraw from public life. I have been diagnosed with a neurological disease manifesting as dementia."
Kyl, 83, served in Congress for almost 30 years. He represented Arizona in the House of Representatives and Senate. He served in the House from 1987 to 1995 and the Senate from 1995 until 2013. He was Senate minority whip when he left the Senate. He later became a lobbyist who helped facilitate the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Kyl returned to Congress in 2018 when Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey appointed him to fill the seat open from the death of Sen. John McCain. He stayed in the seat until 2019, when he returned to lobbying.
"In a letter to the American people in similar circumstances, Ronald Reagan wrote that he was headed into 'the sunset of my life.' Yet, he expressed confidence that, for America, there would 'always be a bright dawn ahead.' I share Reagan's confidence about the future, for the country and for our state," Kyl said in his statement.
"My family and I now head down a path filled with moments of joy and increasing difficulties. I am grateful beyond expression for their love and support, in these coming days as in all the days of my life. Despite this diagnosis, I remain a very fortunate man."
Kyl grew up in Iowa but attended University of Arizona, where he met his wife, Caryll. He said he fell in love with Arizona while in school.
The announcement comes a week after former Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., announced he has terminal pancreatic cancer.