Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema announced Tuesday that she is not running for reelection and will leave the Senate at the end of the year.
Sinema was elected in 2018 as a Democrat but left the party to become an independent in 2022.
In her video announcement, Sinema touted her moderate, middle-of-the-road outlook but said Americans have chosen to “retreat further to their partisan corners.”
“I believe in my approach. But it’s not what America wants right now,” she said, adding: “Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done I will leave the Senate at the end of this year.”
Senator Kyrsten Sinema walks to an elevator outside the Senate Chamber during a vote on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 19, 2022.
Tom Brenner/Reuters, FILE
Sinema, who hadn’t announced her 2024 plans, was being challenged on the left by Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego and on the right by Republican Kari Lake.
Gallego released a statement Tuesday thanking Sinema for her years representing Arizona though quickly turned his attention to Lake, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump who lost the governor’s race to Democrat Katie Hobbs in 2020.
“As we look ahead, Arizona is at a crossroads. Protecting abortion access, tackling housing affordability, securing our water supply, defending our democracy — all of this and more is on the line,” Gallego said. “That’s why Democrats, Independents, and Republicans alike are coming together and rejecting Kari Lake and her dangerous positions. I welcome all Arizonans, including Senator Sinema, to join me in that mission.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
