Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has announced that she will not seek re-election this year, ending her one-term tenure in the Senate where she played a significant role in legislative negotiations in a closely divided chamber and helped turn Arizona into a blue state before leaving the Democratic Party.
In a video message, Sinema stated, “Because I value civility, understanding, and working together to achieve goals, I have decided to leave the Senate at the end of this year.”
Her decision clears the path for a competitive race to fill her seat, with leading Republican candidate Kari Lake and top Democratic contender Rep. Ruben Gallego already campaigning vigorously to succeed her.
Sinema expressed disappointment in the current state of partisan politics, emphasizing, “Compromise has become a taboo word. We have reached a critical juncture where anger and division prevail. Although I believe in my approach, it is not what America is seeking at this moment.”
Throughout her time in office, Sinema found more support among Arizona Republicans than her former party, emphasizing the need to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters. Her departure comes as polling indicated a challenging path to victory in a hypothetical three-way race.
Both Gallego and Lake commended Sinema for her service, highlighting the importance of addressing critical issues facing Arizona and the nation.
Republicans view Arizona as a crucial battleground in their quest to regain control of the Senate, with Sinema’s departure presenting an opportunity for them to secure a valuable seat.
Sinema’s tenure in the Senate was marked by her pivotal role in shaping legislation and engaging in bipartisan negotiations to advance key priorities. She departed from the Democratic Party in 2022 but continued to support key initiatives that aligned with her principles.
Her departure reflects a shift in Arizona’s political landscape and underscores the challenges of navigating a deeply divided political environment.
Arizona’s political trajectory underscores the state’s emergence as a battleground, with significant implications for national politics.
Other key 2024 battleground races include Democratic Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, both running for re-election.