UPDATE: It's official.

"As I contemplated who could best serve our state in the U.S. Senate, I kept coming back to one name and one person: Jon Kyl," Ducey said. "He is a man without comparable peer."

"There's a reason he was considered one of the best Senators in the country," Ducey continued. "Now is not the time for on the job training. Arizona needs somebody who can hit the ground running on day one...we are blessed to have the leadership and the statesmanship of Jon Kyl as we move forward."

***Original post***

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey will appoint former Senator Jon Kyl to fill the vacant seat left by longtime Senator John McCain. Kyl will serve out the reminder of McCain's term, which ends in 2020.

The Arizona Republic was the first to report the news. Cindy McCain also confirmed the news.

Jon Kyl is a dear friend of mine and John’s. It’s a great tribute to John that he is prepared to go back into public service to help the state of Arizona. — Cindy McCain (@cindymccain) September 4, 2018

Kyl served as a U.S. Senator representing Arizona from 1995-2013, ultimately becoming the second most powerful Republican as minority whip. In 2012 he announced his retirement and went into the private sector. He currently serves as a fellow for the American Enterprise Institute and works as a lobbyist for the law firm Covington & Burling.

Since July, Kyl has served as a "sherpa" on Capitol Hill for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. A "sherpa" prepares a nominee for their hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Kavanaugh's hearing started today.

Governor Ducey will hold a press conference at 1 p.m. eastern to make the announcement.

This story has been updated with additional information.