When Sen. John Kyl agreed to step into the Senate seat earlier this year, he didn't address his future beyond this year and said he wouldn't run in a 2020 special election. | Win McNamee/Getty Images Congress Kyl: No decision on how long to serve in Senate

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said Tuesday that he hasn't decided how long he'll serve as the late John McCain's appointed replacement and kept the door open to suggesting that Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) — who lost her Senate bid last week — serve out the remainder of his term.

When Kyl agreed to step into the Senate seat earlier this year, he didn't address his future beyond this year and said he wouldn't run in a 2020 special election that's set to determine who will serve for the two years left in McCain's term. That has stoked speculation that McSally could get appointed to replace Kyl in the seat, giving her a potential leg up in the 2020 race.


McSally conceded to Democratic Sen.-elect Kyrsten Sinema on Monday night in a video that congratulated her opponent after a bitterly fought campaign.

Asked in a brief interview if he would suggest that McSally replace him, Kyl lauded the two-term House Republican but declined to address his own future.

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"First of all, I would recommend Martha McSally for a lot of different things, including U.S. Senate, because I supported her candidacy," Kyl said. "But no, I've not made any decisions about when I'm going to step down."

Kyl added that he would first consult with newly-reelected Gov. Doug Ducey (R-Ariz.) "and you all will be notified after that."