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Former US Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, a 'workhorse' who shaped water policy, dies at 84
Compiled Sep 17
What happened
Former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona died Wednesday night from a neurological disorder.
The detail
Kyl served almost three decades in Congress, in both the House and Senate.
The detail
He was a key participant in shaping Arizona's 1980 groundwater code as a lawyer for a water utility.
The detail
In 2004 he authored legislation for one of the largest tribal water rights settlements, benefiting the Gila River Indian Community.
How it unfolded
April 25, 1942: Jon Kyl was born in Oakland, Nebraska. · 1980: Kyl helped shape Arizona's groundwater code as a lawyer for a water utility. · 1987: Kyl was elected to the U.S. House for the first of four terms. · 2004: Kyl authored legislation for a major tribal water rights settlement for the Gila River Indian Community. · 2013: Kyl retired from politics and became a lobbyist. · 2018: Ducey appointed Kyl to fill the Senate seat left vacant by John McCain's death; Kyl served less than four months before returning to lobbying. · December 2025: Kyl withdrew from public life after announcing a dementia diagnosis.
By the numbers
84 age at death · 1987 year first elected to House · 2004 year of tribal water legislation · 313,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water annually · 15 years time spent advancing water settlement