Update: David Cantanese at Politico has wrotethat Kyl WILL retire in 2012. No official word yet, but will update this as promised should it prove true.
According to CNN, Arizona Senator Jon Kyl is announcing his decision on whether to seek reelection in 2012 today at Noon (Eastern Standard Time, so 10AM Phoenix time).
Kyl has been the subject of considerable speculation regarding his plans, with no announcement on his part as to whether he intended to run for reelection or not.
Kyl was first elected in 1994 when Senator Dennis DeConcini retired, defeating Congressman Sam Coppersmith. He was unopposed by Democrats in 2000, and won reelection in 2006 over state Democratic Party Chair Jim Pederson by a 53-44% margin.
Alicia Menendez, daughter of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has had a few Twitter updates on the subject. As of 15 minutes ago (it's 1040AM EST now), she wrote:
"Goodbye Jon Kyl, Hello Janet Napolitano."
I don't know if Menendez, a "Senior Advisor" at the New Democratic Network knows something we don't, but we'll find out at Noon.
Sorry for the short diary, but I thought people ought to know. Will publish an update when Kyl makes his decision known.
Possible candidates for the Democrats could include Napolitano (the former Governor), but I would hesitate to put Gabby Giffords on the list, until we know how soon (and to what extent) her full recovery will be.