In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) announced she was not seeking reelection in the 2024 race between her, Kari Lake, and Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).
Titled "A message for Arizonans from Senator Kyrsten Sinema," the Arizona Senator explained why she was not running to retain her seat, condemning the widening divide between Democrats and Republicans and their voters even as members of Congress are able to work together on multiple issues.
A message for Arizonans from Senator Kyrsten Sinema pic.twitter.com/1XWFSWgGdh
— Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) March 5, 2024
Does Texas have a constitutional right to defy Supreme Court on protecting its border?
"Americans still choose to retreat farther to their partisan corners. These solutions are considered failures either because they are too much or not nearly enough. It is all or nothing. The outcome [is] less important than beating the other guy. The only political victories that matter these days are symbolic, attacking your opponents on cable news or social media. Compromise is a dirty word. We have arrived at that crossroad, and we chose anger and division. I believe in my approach. But it is not what America wants right now," said Sen. Sinema.
Perhaps Sen. Sinema's announcement should not come as a surprise, for she did not explicitly confirm her intention to run for reelection or begin the necessary paperwork, instead saying she was focusing on the bipartisan border deal. Additionally, her campaign only brought in $595,000 in the third fundraising quarter of 2023. Moreover, Sinema consistently ranked third in the three-way race between her, Lake, and Rep. Gallego in polls.
In response to Sinema's announcement, both Lake and Rep. Gallego commended her career and dedication to working on bipartisan solutions while taking shots at each other, cementing the now left-right nature of the race.
"As a Journalist, I covered Kyrsten Sinema for many years. We may not agree on everything, but I know she shares my love for Arizona. Senator Sinema had the courage to stand tall against the Far-Left in defense of the filibuster—despite the overwhelming pressure from the radicals in her party like Ruben Gallego who called on her to burn it all down. Ruben Gallego would be a radical departure from the representation we have had in Arizona. He votes with Joe Biden 100% of the time, supported the Iran Deal, sanctuary cities, defunding the police, and voting rights for everyone pouring across the border. He even called the border wall ‘stupid.’ Arizonans will not be fooled by Gallego. I will be a voice for ALL Arizonans. I wish Senator Sinema the best in her next chapter," said Lake.
As a Journalist, I covered Kyrsten Sinema for many years. We may not agree on everything, but I know she shares my love for Arizona.
Senator Sinema had the courage to stand tall against the Far-Left in defense of the filibuster—despite the overwhelming pressure from the radicals…
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) March 5, 2024
Similarly, Rep. Gallego commented, "I want to thank @SenatorSinema for her nearly two decades of service to our state. Arizona, we are 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. It’s time Democrats, Independents, and Republicans come together and reject Kari Lake and her dangerous positions. For Arizona."
I want to thank @SenatorSinema for her nearly two decades of service to our state.
Arizona, we are 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.
It’s time…
— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) March 5, 2024
