Kyrsten Sinema returns to DC for Senate job after defeating McSally
Nov 13, 2018, 8:17 AM | Updated: 12:11 pm
PHOENIX — Kyrsten Sinema returned to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday — but under a new title.
The Senator-elect tweeted on Tuesday that she was back in the nation’s capital to attend what she called “Senate school,” an orientation to brief new lawmakers on what is to be expected on the Hill.
Back in DC, headed to the first day of Senate school.
I’m overcome with gratitude – thank you Arizona! It’s the privilege of my life to represent you. 🌵 pic.twitter.com/nGr5F4RAo2
— Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) November 13, 2018
“Back in DC, headed to the first day of Senate school,” Sinema wrote. “I am overcome with gratitude — Thank you Arizona! It’s the privilege of my life to represent you.”
The tweet came from Sinema’s campaign Twitter account — her official account remained as @RepSinema as of Tuesday morning.
Sinema was in D.C. just hours after The Associated Press declared her win over Republican Martha McSally in a divisive race.
She defeated McSally, 49.68 percent to 47.96 percent, in the race, which was called nearly a week after Election Day.
McSally conceded the race Monday night in a video posted on Twitter — featuring none other than her beloved (and very good) dog, Boomer.
Congrats to @kyrstensinema. I wish her success. I’m grateful to all those who supported me in this journey. I’m inspired by Arizonans’ spirit and our state’s best days are ahead of us. pic.twitter.com/tw0uKgi3oO
— McSally For Senate (@MarthaMcSally) November 13, 2018
Flake also tweeted his congratulations to Sinema on Monday and gave his praise to McSally for a “gracious concession speech.”
Congratulations to @kyrstensinema on a race well run, and won. It’s been a wonderful honor representing Arizona in the Senate. You’ll be great.
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) November 13, 2018
What a gracious concession speech, @MarthaMcSally. You've done Arizona proud. https://t.co/uZgSYkHdTp
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) November 13, 2018
Gov. Doug Ducey, who won his re-election over Democrat David Garcia in the Nov. 6 election, also thanked both candidates for their “historic campaigns.”
Congratulations to Senator-Elect @kyrstensinema on a hard-fought victory. We also salute Rep. @MarthaMcSally — thank you for your service to our country in uniform and your representation of #AZ’s 2nd Congressional District. Thank you both for your historic campaigns.
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) November 13, 2018
Ducey’s statement of a historic campaign was not an understatement: Both Sinema and McSally were fighting to become the first female senator to represent the state in Washington, D.C. In addition, Sinema will also become the state’s first Democratic senator since the mid-1990s and the first-ever openly bisexual senator.
The delay of Monday’s eventual result came as election officials slowly counted the more than 600,000 outstanding votes in the narrow race to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake.
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As county recorders’ officials were counting the ballots — the majority of which were in Maricopa County — four county Republican parties filed a lawsuit alleging the state’s 15 county recorders don’t follow a uniform standard for allowing voters to adjust problems with their mail-in ballots, and that two counties improperly allow those fixes after Election Day.
The settlement reached allowed county recorders more time to “cure” mail-in ballots and continue counting votes.
Sinema’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives will be filled by former Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, who won his election for federal office after beating Republican Dr. Steve Ferrara, 59 percent to 40 percent.
Stanton tweeted his congrats to Sinema early Tuesday morning.
Congratulations to @kyrstensinema on a historic win. I can’t wait to work together in Washington to advance Arizona.
— Greg Stanton (@gregstantonaz) November 13, 2018
Sinema had been the only lawmaker to represent the 9th Congressional District seat since it was formed after the 2010 Census.
But the newly elected lawmakers will not be expected to make any big decisions soon: The 116th session doesn’t convene until Jan. 3.
