Kyrsten Sinema goes independent, scrambles Senate Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona said in remarks published at 6 a.m. ET Friday that she's leaving the Democratic Party and registering as an independent. Why it matters: It's a political earthquake that will shake up the Senate — just three days after Democrats thought they had secured a 51-49 majority. Our thought bubble, viaAxios' Josh Kraushaar: Sinema views activists in the Arizona Democratic Party as extreme as the state Republican Party. She's up in 2024, and risked a primary from Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) on the left. "Arizonans — including many registered as Democrats or Republicans — are eager for leaders who focus on common-sense solutions rather than party doctrine," Sinema says in an op-ed in The Arizona Republic, her state's largest paper. "That's why I have joined the growing numbers of Arizonans who reject party politics by declaring my independence from the broken partisan system in Washington." Sinema — ever unpredictable and inscrutable — told Senate Majority Leader Schumer of her decision yesterday, Politico reports. "I know some people might be a little bit surprised by this," Sinema told CNN's Jake Tapper. "But, actually, I think it makes a lot of sense. ... I've never fit neatly into any party box. I've never really tried. I don't want to." "Removing myself from the partisan structure — not only is it true to who I am and how I operate, I also think it'll provide a place of belonging for many folks across the state and the country, who also are tired of the partisanship." Reality check: Punchbowl News notes that Sinema leaving the party gives Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) "outsized sway once again."
She knew sne was going to be primaried and lose..This is that bitchs final 2 years in the Senate no matter what she registers as.
It’s really not a smart move for the state you represent to take yourself out of the majority party in the senate. I’m not sure if she will not join a caucus though so she may still be able to be on the inside like other independents.
lol that was awesome. Public restrooms open to public. "independent" is just the transition step to republican. Turtle has activated his asset.
I discussed this bit about Sinema golng independent long ago and here it is but it continues to be more about her status on the home front rather than senate games in DC. She is in trouble in AZ at the primary level as a dem but can probably cobble together something as an independent, and she is up for re-election in 2024. People say the independent thing cannot work. But she seeis it working for Bernie. She sees it working for Angus King from Maine. As long as she continues to caucus with the dems.
That seems like a long shot. Arizona isn’t Alaska, Republicans aren’t going to switch over there. She is toast (so is Manchin for that matter).