Kyrsten Sinema says she will not seek re-election in Arizona’s Senate race: Who could replace her in the competitive seat?

Democrat turned independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona has announced that she will not seek re-election, bolstering the chance of both parties to secure one of the most competitive seats on the 2024 senate map. In a video posted across her social media platforms, Senator Sinema vowed to continue fighting for her constituents in new ways and touted her legislative accomplishments during her one term in Congress’s upper chamber.

“Through listening, understanding, and compromise we delivered tangible results that make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” argued Sen. Sinema, adding that even though bipartisan legislation was passed, “Americans still choose to retreat farther to their partisan corners.” Rather than viewing political polarization as a failure of both parties in Washington to offer solutions that interest the public, the Arizona leader stands by the importance of “compromise” even when voters find them “too much, or not nearly enough.”

Before ending the video with a description of the legislative victories her vote has helped secure, she described the crossroads the country finds itself at and voiced concern that “we chose anger and division.” Her use of the royal “we” appears purposeful, particularly at a time when a sizeable piece of the electorate is frustrated with the candidate selection for president.

The race to replace Senator Sinema

Senator Sinema is finishing her first term in the Senate, which she started as a member of the Democratic caucus and has ended as an independent who caucuses with the majority party. Her change in party affiliation put a target on her back in the Arizona primary this year, with a field of Republicans and Democrats vying for the seat and hoping to avoid a three-way race that would severely limit their chances. By walking away from the race, the Arizona leader leaves Washington with her reputation (mostly) intact.

On the Democratic side, Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego leads, but there is still much time for the dynamics to change, with the primary not scheduled to take place until 30 July. After Senator Sinema made her announcement, Con. Gallego took to X to thank her for her two decades of public service and make his case to the voters who had planned to cast their vote for her in the upcoming election.

The GOP has several candidates competing for the seat, including Kari Lake, who ran for governor in 2022, and Mark Lamb, the sheriff of Pinal County. Lake received Donald Trump’s endorsement, which did not help her secure a victory in 2022, but with dozens more important endorsements than Lamb, she is likely to secure a win in the primary later this year.