John McCain's Replacement, Jon Kyl, Announces Retirement As Of December 31

Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona (image via Gage Skidmore/WikiMedia)

And speaking of Republicans in the U.S. Senate, according to The Arizona Republic Arizona, place-holder Sen. Jon Kyl has announced he will resign from the U.S. Senate on Dec. 31.

Kyl was tapped to come out of retirement after the passing of John McCain earlier this year.

This will give Gov. Doug Ducey the chance to handpick another replacement to the seat once occupied by McCain.

Odds are Ducey will appoint outgoing GOP Rep. Martha McSally, who lost to Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema last month for Arizona’s other U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Sen. Jeff Flake.

Sinema will be sworn into office Jan. 3.

Appointing McSally now would give her a leg up on the next election cycle as the incumbent.