Sen. Jon Kyl is Retiring

One of the ruthless and powerful Repubs is retiring, leaving his space wide open. Arizona's Jon Kyl will not seek re-election.

Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Arizona, the second ranking Republican in the Senate, will not seek re-election for a 4th Senate term, according to two GOP sources familiar with his decision.
Kyl is now the 5th senator to announce he will leave the Senate. His departure will leave vacant a powerful spot in the Senate GOP leadership, and opens new speculation about the future of Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota.

Thune is contemplating a run for president, but now has the chance to move up and become the Assistant Republican leader, or GOP Senate Whip, if he decides to stay. A Thune source tells CNN he will make his decision by the end of this month.
As for Kyl, Senate Republicans will be losing a fierce partisan and articulate advocate on a wide range of issues. Kyl joins Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, Independent Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, and Democratic Senator Jim Webb of Virginia who announced Wednesday he would not run for re-election. 

Thank Hera for this.

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