The back story on Ducey’s appointment of Jon Kyl

Immediately after John McCain was diagnosed with brain cancer last year, Gov. Doug Ducey found himself at the center of a swarm of would-be successors jostling for a chance at the U.S. senator’s seat.

The Republican governor quickly shut down those inquiries, according to his staff, both privately and publicly. But for months, the pressure of appointing a successor to an iconic political figure many had deemed irreplaceable loomed over him.

“He certainly had been thinking about it and felt like he had a responsibility to think about it,” a representative for the governor said before the announcement.

“But he really wanted to hold off on any real discussions as a team, or with anyone he might be considering, until it was clear that there would be an appointment.”

Ducey knew he wanted someone well-versed in Arizona-specific issues, including water policy and Native American relations.

Where that person would fall politically was subject to rampant speculation.

Would he name someone similar to McCain, an old-school politician with a history of working across party lines? Would he pick a political outsider who fell further to the right, like President Donald Trump? Was there a way to satisfy multiple elements of the state’s divided GOP?

The scrutiny escalated after the governor announced he would seek re-election. It intensified even further when President Donald Trump announced his contentious Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh.

Many people offered the governor advice, Ducey said at a press conference announcing his pick. Most of it was unsolicited, he said. He said the most valuable guidance came from another governor, who told him to “pick the best possible person, regardless of politics.”

When McCain died Aug. 25, the governor turned to someone he had long considered a mentor and model public servant: former Sen. Jon Kyl. Within hours, Ducey had asked Kyl to accept an appointment to his old friend and colleague’s seat.

The next day, after talking with his wife, Kyl committed to serving at least through the rest of the year.

Ducey informed a select group of staffers of his decision. But he publicly remained silent on the appointment issue for more than a week, temporarily halting campaign events and helping to coordinate Arizona memorials for the late senator.

His office declined appointment-related press inquiries, issuing a statement that said: “Out of respect for the life and legacy of Sen. John McCain and his family, Governor Ducey will not be making any announcements about an appointment until after the Senator is laid to rest.”

Two days after McCain was buried, Ducey’s team called a news conference at the Arizona Capitol.

The governor introduced Kyl as his appointment, calling him “a beacon of integrity” who is “highly regarded by people on both sides of the aisle and able to work across party lines to get results.”

Ducey told reporters he had secured only a temporary commitment from Kyl but hoped he would consider serving through 2020. If not, his departure could trigger another gubernatorial appointment.

Immediately after the press conference, Kyl flew to Washington, D.C.

“I will do my best to assure that Arizonans continue to be well represented in the U.S. Senate,” he said Tuesday.