Kyl plans to resign Arizona Senate seat

WASHINGTON >> Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., plans to resign at the end of the year, opening up the seat John McCain held until his death and triggering a consequential decision for Arizona’s Republican governor, who must appoint a replacement.

Gov. Doug Ducey’s office announced Friday that Kyl submitted a letter of resignation effective Dec. 31 at 11:59 p.m. In his letter, Kyl called it “an honor and a privilege” to return to the Senate and fill McCain’s seat. He briefly explained the timing of his departure.

“When I accepted your appointment, I agreed to complete the work of the 115th Congress and then reevaluate continuing to serve,” Kyl wrote in his letter to Ducey, dated Dec. 12. “I have concluded that it would be best if I resign so that your new appointee can begin the new term with all other Senators in January 2019 and can serve a full two (potentially four) years.”

Republican leaders have long anticipated Kyl’s departure and Ducey’s team has been preparing accordingly. The governor has considered appointing Rep. Martha McSally, R, a favorite of Senate Republican leaders.

But Ducey and his confidants have grown frustrated with McSally and her team in recent weeks, according to two people familiar with the governor’s thinking, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to freely discuss private conversations.

A post-election memo in which McSally’s campaign pointed to external factors rather than examining its own strategic decisions outraged the governor’s close circle, the people said. It also drew criticism from other Republicans.

While McSally’s standing with Ducey is shaky, she is still a finalist for the appointment.