Former Arizona Senator Jon Kyl Announces Dementia Diagnosis, Steps Back from Public Life

Former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona has announced he is withdrawing from public life after being diagnosed with dementia. The Republican, who served in the Senate for nearly two decades, made the announcement in a statement. He did not specify the type of dementia. Kyl, 82, is a respected figure in Washington. He served as the Senate Minority Whip and was known for his expertise in defense and foreign policy. After retiring in 2013, he briefly returned to the Senate in 2018 to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Senator John McCain. In his statement, Kyl said the diagnosis means he can "no longer fulfill the duties that God has called me to." He expressed gratitude for his career and asked for privacy for his family.