Jon Kyl
Jon Kyl | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Junior Senator, Arizona | |
| In office 1995–Present | |
| Preceded by | Dennis DeConcini |
| Succeeded by | Incumbent (2007) |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | american |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Caryll Collins |
- This page is about the current Arizona Senator; for his father, a U.S. Representative from Iowa, see John Kyl; for a U.S. Representative from Mississippi with a similar name, see John Kyle.
Jon Llewellyn Kyl (born April 25, 1942) is a Republican U.S. Senator, representing Arizona.
Background
Kyl was born in Oakland, Nebraska, the son of John Kyl, a U.S. Representative for Iowa. Kyl earned a bachelor's degree in 1964 from the University of Arizona, graduating with honors. He then earned a law degree in 1966 at the University of Arizona, and served as editor-in-chief of the Arizona Law Review. [1] Before entering politics, he was a lawyer and lobbyist with Jennings, Strouss & Salmon in Phoenix, Arizona.
His wife is Caryll Collins, and they have two children, Kristine Kyl Gavin and John Kyl, and four grandchildren.
Political career
Kyl served in the House of Representatives from 1987 to 1995. He was first elected to the Senate in 1994, easily defeating Samuel G. Coppersmith(D), then an Arizona member of the House of Representatives.
Kyl was re-elected in 2000, without major-party opposition. He is considered to be a staunch conservative. [1]
Kyl is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security. He is also a member of the Finance Committee, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight.
As chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, he is one of six members of the Senate Republican Leadership.
In February 2006, Kyl joined Senator Lindsey Graham in filing an amicus brief in the Hamdan v. Rumsfeld case, which appears to have been an attempt to mislead the Supreme Court by presenting an “extensive colloquy” added to the Congressional record but not included in the Dec 21st debate as evidence that "Congress was aware" that the Detainee Treatment Act would strip the Supreme Court of jurisdiction to hear "pending cases, including this case" brought by the Guantanamo detainees..[2]
In April 2006, Kyl, along with the state's senior senator, John McCain, was selected by TIME as one of "America's 10 Best Senators"; the magazine cited his successful behind-the-scene efforts as head of the Republican policy committee.[3]
2006 re-election campaign
Real estate developer and former Arizona Democratic Party chairman Jim Pederson is challenging Kyl for the seat.
The race might be one of the most expensive in Arizona history. As of May 7th, Kyl's campaign has raised over $9 million primarily from private donations and large fundraising dinners. Pederson's campaign has raised over $5 million primarily through a dinner event with former President Clinton and a $2 million donation from Pederson himself.
A major issue in the reelection campaign has been combating illegal immigration. While in the Senate, Kyl co-sponsored legislation that would give illegal immigrants up to five years to leave the country. Once there, they could apply for permanent residence or be guest workers.[2] Since this legislation was opposed by Senator McCain, Pederson has tried to use the issue as a way of allying with McCain and dividing the Republicans in Arizona.[3] Controversy also arose when each candidate accused the other of supporting the amnesty provisions in a 1986 immigration bill, although both candidates deny ever supporting those provisions. [4]
Kyl appeared in the U.S. national news near the end of the campaign as an example of a case where some bloggers were attempting to influence search engine results for searches on Kyl's name, using Google bombs. [5]
References
- ^ Nelson, Robert. "Stealth Zealot". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 2006-10-03.
- ^ Invisibile Men : Did Lindsey Graham and Jon Kyl mislead the Supreme Court?, by Emily Bazelon -- Slate Magazine
- ^ Jon Kyl: The Operator, an April 2006 TIME magazine article
External links
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