Over the weekend, Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I) addressed criticism from her Democratic colleagues. At the end of her political career, she has fallen out of good graces with her former party for not towing the party line. As her time in the senate comes to an end, Senator Sinema is relieved, admitting she doesn’t “give a sh**” about the comments directed her way.
Her chair will return to being blue after Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego (D) defeated Kari Lake (R) in the 2024 election after Senator Sinema changed her party affiliation to Independent in 2022. Her and West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin (I) have become thorns on the side of the Democratic Party after supporting key issues that the angered Democrats. Namely, both senators supported the Senate filibuster.
Many in the Democratic Party sought an end to the filibuster, which Republicans have used as a procedural tool.
Most recently, Senator Sinema presented another obstacle for Democrats after she blocked the renomination of Lauren McFerran to the National Labor Relations Board. This opens the door for Republican control of the board under the incoming Trump Administration.
However, during an “exit interview” with Semafor, Senator Sinema admitted that she’s ready to end her first and only term in the senate and leave politics behind for good.
“I know some people think I’m, like, this enigma or whatever, but I don’t think that’s true at all,” the senator said regarding her political stances and votes. “I think, maybe, this is a place where sometimes people say things that they don’t mean. I am not one of those people… I think I’m highly predictable,” she added.
To show she’s “over” the political scene, the Arizona senator affirmed that she voted, but she didn’t mention who she voted for; she isn’t going to comment on the type of senator that Senator-elect Gallego will be; but she does want people to know that she’s “happier” as her senatorial term comes to an end.
