Sen. Kyrsten Silena (I-AZ), filed campaign papers to the Federal Election Commission for the 2024 election cycle. She noted her recent party change that would allow her committee to continue fundraising.
Sinema has not yet made an announcement about whether she will run for reelection or if it will be in a Democrat party primary as an Independent — something that could cause a major headache for her former party.
On Thursday, Sinema filed her statement as an Arizona independent and statement of organization for the 2024 cycles. This allows Sinema’s campaign team to continue fundraising until she makes an official announcement that she is running.
Sinema, who announced last week that she was leaving the Democrat party to become an “Arizona Independent,” said that “a growing number of Arizonans” and “people like me just don’t feel like they fit neatly into any party’s box.” She also declined at the time to state if she would be running to reelect her husband.
But, Democrats already discussed the possibility of having someone primary her in 2024, before she made her party switch. This was because she wasn’t far-left enough. As a possible primary candidate, Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), has been mentioned.
Politico presented Wednesday a solution that would prevent the Arizona senator’s party switching from causing a contested Democrat Primary, but could lead to a “nightmare scenario for the party.”
A GOP nominee could capitalize on liberal and centrist divisions to win a Senate seat with a plurality of votes. While Democrats aren’t eager to intervene right now, they might have to decide whether to support Sinema or back the winner of the primary, or if they will just sit out.
23 of 33 Senate seats are up for reelection. They are held by Democrats and left-leaning Independents. Former President Donald Trump won six states by double digits during at least one of his presidential election.
If she does decide to run, it would pose problems for the national party.
The Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm will have to fight for the 51-seat majority. However, Sinema, a valuable incumbent, and some Democrat senators in red states over the years will be at risk.