Former Senator Jon Kyle Has Been Named McCain's Replacement - And He Was Kavanaugh's 'Sherpa' Through Confirmation Process

The next senator from Arizona, replacing the late Sen. John McCain, will be former Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, Gov. Doug Ducey is expected to announce Tuesday. Even before the formal announcement, Ducey was out with a statement saying that “I am deeply grateful to Senator Kyl for agreeing to succeed his friend and college of so many years” and following it up with a tweet including the telling hashtag #KavanaughConfirmation. Cindy McCain quickly offered her support, calling Kyl “a dear friend of mine and John’s.”

As Ducey’s tweet suggested, Kyl is a guaranteed vote for Brett Kavanaugh, Donald Trump’s Supreme Court pick, already serving as Kavanaugh’s “sherpa” through the confirmation process. A special election will be held in 2020, but:

Kyl has agreed to serve at least through the end of the year, a representative for Ducey said. If he opts to step down after the end of the session, the Republican governor would be required to appoint another replacement, the aide said.

In other words, Kyl is there for the Kavanaugh vote and to get Doug Ducey through his own re-election bid with a minimum of controversy.

Kyl was previously a senator from 1995 to 2013, and served in the House before that.