Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona announced last week that she had officially left the Democratic Party to become an independent. Her move has created a stir in both political circles and among constituents, as Sinema had long served as a moderate in the Democratic Party, often standing in the way of the party’s more progressive agenda.
Sinema has cited her desire to “be an independent voice for all Arizonans” as the primary reason for leaving the Democratic Party. She told CNN that she has “never fit neatly into any party box” and “never really tried,” adding that she does not want to. Her op-ed in The Arizona Republic echoed this sentiment, noting that her decision to become an independent “will provide a place of belonging for many folks across the state and the country, who also are tired of the partisanship.”
Despite her decision to become an independent, Sinema has pledged that her service to Arizona will remain unchanged and that her position and priorities on various issues will remain steadfast. She has also noted that her approach to legislating has led to tension on both sides of the aisle and that her decision will not shift the balance of power in the Senate.
Sinema was elected to the Senate in 2018 and is up for re-election in 2024. Her decision to become an independent may also be a political calculation, as she would not face a Democratic challenger in a primary. Arizona has shifted from a reliably red state to a swing state in the past few years, and Sinema’s decision could give the GOP an opening to flip the seat red in 2024.
Ultimately, Sinema’s decision to leave the Democratic Party is a testament to her commitment to remain an independent voice for all Arizonans and to reject the partisan politics of Washington. Her move has created a stir among both Democrats and constituents, and it will be interesting to see what her decision means for the future of Arizona politics.