Sinema relying on moderate approach, keeps distance from Schumer
Jul 8, 2018, 11:53 AM | Updated: 1:31 pm
(AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX – An Arizona Senate candidate, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), is distancing herself from one of the parties most prominent and high ranking officials.
When asked about Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sinema told Politico.com, “I am not going to vote for him.”
Although Schumer is seen as a polarizing figure in the Democratic party, Sinema’s position on the senator is more opposing than most members in the Democratic caucus.
Since Sinema has aligned herself closely with other Democrats such as Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), Republicans such as Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) are skeptical that Sinema’s votes would cross party lines if she lands the open Senate seat.
Sinema, who is a three-term member of the House of Representatives, is banking her campaign on strong bi-partisan relationships with Republicans and moderate Democrats.
Historically, Sinema has been able to cross party lines successfully beginning in 2000 as an activist for Ralph Nader’s presidential campaign as a member of the Green Party.
The Senate seat that she is running for became open after the announcement of Senator Jeff Flake’s (R-Ariz.) retirement. Poll numbers have indicated that Sinema is a favorite to flip that seat from red to blue.
Sinema is being challenged by three Republicans: Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), Dr. Kelli Ward, and former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Schumer has privately backed Sinema before she had even announced her intent to run for the seat. Sinema is the only Democrat running for the open Senate seat.