Arizona Senator Krysten Sinema Opted Out of Re-election Bid

Incumbent Arizona Senator Krysten Sinema announced on Tuesday through a video message that she will not be aiming for reelection.

Sinema was a Democrat, elected to the Senate in 2018. However, in the 2022 midterm elections, she left her party and registered as an independent.

A message for Arizonans from Senator Kyrsten Sinema pic.twitter.com/1XWFSWgGdh

— Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) March 5, 2024

She announced her departure with her former party on X: “In a natural extension of my service since I was first elected to Congress, I have joined the growing numbers of Arizonans who reject party politics by declaring my independence from the broken partisan system in Washington and formally registering as an Arizona Independent.”

Sinema’s views were often considered centrist, earning the ire of fellow members of the Democratic Party. She often voted against the advocacies of the left.

“The only political victories that matter these days are symbolic: attacking your opponents on cable news or social media. Compromise is a dirty word,” remarked Sinema in her message posted on X.

“I believe in my approach, but it’s not what America wants right now…because I chose civility, understanding, listening, and working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year.”

Reports noted that it would be difficult for the independent senator to clinch a second term as she had departed from the Democratic Party.

According to polls, Sinema is trailing behind Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego and former local news anchor Kari Lake.