Former Gov. Brewer thinks an Obama endorsement could hurt Sinema
Aug 1, 2018, 6:04 PM | Updated: Aug 2, 2018, 7:41 am
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX — In a potentially tight Senate race that could swing a red state toward blue, an endorsement from a former president seems vital.
But former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer sees it a different way.
If former President Barack Obama were to endorse U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, its effect would be negligible — or maybe even harmful — to the Democratic representative, Brewer said on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac and Gaydos on Wednesday.
“Their party has gone so far left, I know that he is left,” Brewer said. “We have got some moderate Democrats here that don’t agree with him totally.”
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An Obama endorsement wouldn’t coax Republican voters to change allegiance, Brewer said. If the Democrat voters aren’t swayed by Obama either, Sinema wouldn’t get a boost.
On Wednesday, Obama endorsed 81 Democratic candidates in different races in 14 states throughout the United States, according to Politico. He plans to endorse more candidates and campaign in some states.
“For him to come out and endorse some people here, it could drive some Democrats, in my opinion, away,” Brewer said.
Sinema already has the support of former Vice President Joe Biden, who endorsed her in June.
With several Obama endorsements going toward progressive candidates with some socialistic philosophies, Brewer said, it could drive Arizona’s center-leaning liberals away.
“I know Democrats, I was raised by Democrats,” Brewer said. “They were conservative, conservative … and they don’t want to put up with that garbage they’re trying to fill their party with and I think it could hurt them.”
Sinema isn’t expected to be tightly contested by her Democratic challenger, lawyer and activist Deedra Abboud.
The Republican race is more open.
The most recent OH Predictive Insights/ABC15 poll of likely voters, published Wednesday, has U.S. Rep. Martha McSally leading Dr. Kelli Ward 35 percent to 27 percent.
Both are ahead of former sheriff Joe Arpaio, polling at 15 percent.
Brewer endorsed McSally in May and re-affirmed her support to Mac and Gaydos Wednesday.
“She is awesome. Absolutely stellar, an amazing candidate, one that we haven’t seen run in our state in a long time,” Brewer said.”… She’s got the credentials and background.”
