Former Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, Key Water Policy Figure, Dies At 84
Former Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, 84, died Wednesday night, Sept. 16, 2026, from a neurological disorder, his longtime family friend Gordon James said.[1]
Kyl had publicly announced a dementia diagnosis in December 2025.[1] CBS News also reported his death.[2] Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs called Kyl a "dedicated statesman," and former Gov. Doug Ducey described him as a "workhorse" and a "giant" in the Senate.[1]
As a lawyer, Kyl helped shape Arizona's 1980 groundwater code, the law central to managing groundwater around the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.[1] He authored the 2004 Gila River Indian Community water-rights settlement.[1] PBS said the deal amounts to enough water to fill nearly 313,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools a year, and it drew praise on the Senate floor from Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2012.[1] Arizona State University's Kyl Center for Water Policy is named for him, and its director, Sarah Porter, praised his long-term, generational approach to water policy.[1]
Kyl briefly returned to the Senate in 2018 after Gov. Ducey appointed him to fill the seat left by the late Sen. John McCain, and he served as Brett Kavanaugh's "Sherpa" during the confirmation process.[1] His Senate record also included leadership opposing the Affordable Care Act, strong support for Israel, early backing for a U.S.-Mexico border fence, and later support for a failed bipartisan immigration bill that would have created a path to citizenship.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Jon Kyl died Wednesday night, September 16, 2026, from a neurological disorder after publicly announcing a dementia diagnosis in December 2025, according to longtime family friend Gordon James (Gordon James).
- Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs called Kyl a “dedicated statesman,” and former Gov. Doug Ducey described him as a “workhorse” and a “giant” in the Senate (Katie Hobbs).
- As a lawyer, Kyl helped shape Arizona’s 1980 groundwater code, a law central to managing groundwater around the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas (1980 groundwater code).
- He authored the 2004 Gila River Indian Community water-rights settlement — quantified as enough water to fill nearly 313,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools annually — and drew praise on the Senate floor from Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2012 (Gila River Indian Community water-rights settlement).
- Kyl briefly returned to the Senate in 2018 after Gov. Ducey appointed him to fill John McCain’s seat, and he served as Brett Kavanaugh’s “Sherpa” during the confirmation process (John McCain's seat).
- Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy is named for him; the center’s director, Sarah Porter, praised his long-term, generational approach to water policy (Kyl Center for Water Policy).
- Kyl’s Senate record also included leadership opposing the Affordable Care Act, strong support for Israel, early backing for a U.S.-Mexico border fence and later support for a failed bipartisan immigration bill that would have created a path to citizenship (Affordable Care Act).
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Article confirms Jon Kyl died Wednesday night, September 16, 2026, from a neurological disorder, following a December 2025 public announcement of a dementia diagnosis.
- Provides direct attribution of the cause of death to Gordon James, a longtime family friend and communications professional.
- Adds quotes from Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs calling Kyl a 'dedicated statesman' and from former Gov. Doug Ducey describing him as a 'workhorse' and 'giant' in the Senate.
- Details Kyl's early role as a lawyer shaping Arizona's 1980 groundwater code and explains that code's importance for managing groundwater around Phoenix and Tucson.
- Expands on his authorship of the 2004 Gila River Indian Community water-rights settlement, quantifying it as enough water to fill nearly 313,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools annually and noting Mitch McConnell's 2012 floor praise.
- Notes his brief 2018 return to the Senate after being appointed by Gov. Ducey to fill John McCain's seat and his role as Brett Kavanaugh's 'Sherpa' during the confirmation process.
- Adds Arizona State University's Kyl Center for Water Policy as a namesake institution and includes comments from its director, Sarah Porter, on his long-term, generational approach to water policy.
- Describes additional elements of his Senate legacy, including leadership in opposition to the Affordable Care Act, support for Israel, and backing for a U.S.-Mexico border fence coupled with later support for a failed bipartisan immigration bill with a path to citizenship.