(Washington) Arizona Democratic Sen. Kirsten Sinema announced Friday that she has registered as an independent but does not plan to side with the Republican caucus, which would allow Democrats to keep their narrow majority in the Senate.
Mme He said that cinema “informs [son] Freedom from the partisan system of Washington.
In Arizona, his predecessor, the late Sen. Inspired by John McCain’s bigoted approach, the senator often antagonized fellow Democrats for his outspokenness and opposition to Democratic priorities.
She wrote inArizona Republic He ran into politics promising to be “independent and work with anyone to achieve lasting results.” [elle] Disagree. »
His approach is “rare in Washington and has upset supporters in both parties,” but has “delivered lasting results for Arizona,” he said.
Democrats were expected to hold a 51-49 Senate lead in January following Democrat Sen. Raphael Warnock’s victory Tuesday in Georgia’s runoff election. The Senate is now split 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris voting for the Democrat.
In an interview with Politico, Senator Sinema said he will not side with the Republican caucus and plans to continue voting in the 2018 Senate election after winning three mandates in the House.
Nothing will change in my values or my behavior.
Kirsten Sinema is a senator from Arizona
He faces re-election in 2024 and is expected to run against a well-funded Democratic primary candidate who has frustrated the Democratic base by blocking or watering down the party’s progressive priorities, including raising the minimum wage. Mme Sinema did not say whether he will stand for re-election.
The senator’s main challenger could be Rep. Ruben Gallego, who won’t be in the first battle against him.