Arizona Politics

Former Republican Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona announced he has been diagnosed with dementia and is stepping away from public life, saying in a statement that he and his family expect “moments of joy and increasing difficulties” and expressing gratitude despite the diagnosis. The announcement comes after a post‑Senate career at law firm Covington & Burling and work guiding Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation as a lobbyist, and Arizona State expert Sarah Porter called Kyl an “important participant” in negotiating the state’s water rules and tribal water‑rights settlements.