Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl Retiring

Possible replacement: Gabrielle Giffords?

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 10, 2011 11:15 AM CST

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Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl Retiring — In this Dec. 15 file photo, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl of Arizona gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill. (AP Photo, File)

Three-term Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl will not seek re-election next year, sources tell Politico and Fox News. The 68-year-old is expected to announce his retirement at a press conference today. Kyl, the No. 2 Senate Republican, was elected to the Senate in 1994 after four terms in the House, and would have been expected to win a fourth term. He is the fifth senator and second Republican to announce a departure from Congress next year. Gabrielle Giffords has already been mentioned as a possible contender for his spot, along with Janet Napolitano and Republican Rep. Jeff Flake.
(Read more Jon Kyl stories.)