Kyrsten Sinema registers as Independent, compromising Democrats’ slim control of Senate

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema announced on Friday she is leaving the Democratic Party and will formally become an Independent in a move that will compromise Democrats’ control of the Senate.

Sinema made the announcement in a Friday op-ed for The Arizona Republic.

“Each day, Arizonans wake up, work and live alongside people with different views and experiences, usually without even thinking about partisan politics. Arizonans expect our leaders to follow that example – set aside political games, work together, make progress and then get out of the way so we can build better lives for ourselves and our families. It’s no surprise that Washington, D.C., often fails to reflect that expectation,” Sinema wrote.

“Americans are told that we have only two choices – Democrat or Republican – and that we must subscribe wholesale to policy views the parties hold, views that have been pulled further and further toward the extremes.”

“Most Arizonans believe this is a false choice, and when I ran for the U.S. House and the Senate … I pledged to be independent and work with anyone to achieve lasting results. I committed I would not demonize people I disagreed with, engage in name-calling, or get distracted by political drama.”

She later added, “When politicians are more focused on denying the opposition party a victory than they are on improving Americans’ lives, the people who lose are everyday Americans. That’s why I have joined the growing numbers of Arizonans who reject party politics by declaring my independence from the broken partisan system in Washington. I registered as an Arizona independent.”

However, Sinema noted that the change won’t impact how she works and votes, saying that she will continue to be a supporter of women’s health care and of LGBTQ Americans, and will continue fighting for humane treatment for migrants.