Key stuck in ignition last week...now losing power

[mwaldrp]

Last week the key got stuck in the ignition of my '97 Jimmy (SLT, 2WD). I was able to remove it with the release switch, but since then I have had electrical issues and the key has become stuck several more times. The electrical issues seem to boil down to a complete loss of electrical power to any system. This is intermittent (hooray for electrical bugs!) and usually occurs when trying to start the engine but I have also lost electrical (no gauges or lights on and the engine cut off) after driving for approximately 10 minutes. My theory is that the ignition switch is on its last legs after 17 years of use. Are there other possible culprits I am missing?