Kyrsten Sinema
Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ, 9th) edged out Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ, 2nd) to win Arizona’s U.S. Senate race Monday after it was too close to call for nearly a week. Sinema trailed McSally on Election Day, but slowly gained a lead as early and mailed ballots were counted.
“I just called Kyrsten Sinema and congratulated her on becoming Arizona’s first female senator after a hard-fought battle. I wish her all success as she represents Arizona in the Senate,” McSally said in a video posted on Twitter Monday night.
Sinema, a former social worker, was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and has gained a reputation as a moderate and independent voter.
As long as I’ve served Arizona, I’ve worked to help others see our common humanity & find common ground. That’s the same approach I’ll take to representing our great state in the Senate, where I’ll be an independent voice for all Arizonans.
Thank you, Arizona. Let’s get to work. pic.twitter.com/iX6u6VQ9bQ
— Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) November 13, 2018
Sinema’s win comes at a time of great change for Arizona’s Senate delegation. In filling retiring Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)’s seat, she will be the second openly LGBTQ member of the U.S. Senate, the first Democrat Arizona has elected to the Senate since 1976, and the state’s first female senator ever.
Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), who was appointed to fill the vacancy left by the death of Sen. John McCain in August, has said that he plans to leave office early next year, which would prompt Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (R) to appoint a new senator to take his place. That seat will be up for election in 2020.
With Sinema’s victory, the Democrats will control at least 47 seats in the Senate; two more seats are still undecided. The Florida Senate race has resulted in a recount; Mississippi’s Senate race has gone to a runoff election later this month.
