Kyrsten Sinema accuses Martha McSally of campaign ‘based on lies’

PHOENIX – Arizona U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema on Monday accused her Republican Senate opponent, Rep. Martha McSally, of running “a campaign that’s based on lies and distortions and, frankly, dirty smears.”

The Democrat repeatedly referred to her record during an interview on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona Morning News.

“My record is very clear, and unfortunately Martha’s just choosing time and time again to run attack ads that are just lies,” she said.

Sinema specifically addressed an ad, paid for by conservative PAC Defend Arizona, that implies that, while in the Arizona Legislature, she opposed a bill that toughened penalties against those who solicit prostitution.

“What Martha and her friends left out of that attack ad is the fact that I voted for that legislation,” she said.

Sinema pointed out that her first job in college was as a rape crisis counselor.

“I’ve dedicated my entire career to protecting women and children in vulnerable situations from sexual assault, harassment and abuse,” she said.

“And my record is very clear on this work.”

Sinema is hoping to flip the seat being vacated by Sen. Jeff Flake, who is not seeking re-election. The winner will become Arizona’s first woman senator.

While Sinema has led in most of the polling, her lead is anything but secure.

A CBS News poll released Sunday had Sinema up 47 percent to 44 percent, within the margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 points.

An ABC15-OH Predictive Insights poll released Sept. 12 had McSally ahead 49 percent to 46 percent, although a CNN poll from the same day put Sinema out front 50 percent to 43 percent.

Polling website FiveThirtyEight.com‘s model shows Sinema with a 2-in-3 chance for victory.

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