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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an independent from Arizona, announced Tuesday that she will leave the Senate at the end of her term this year, a move that could shake up the race for control of the chamber in November and remove a key figure in the chamber. . Important negotiations in Congress.
Sinema is a high-profile but polarizing figure in the Senate, and has frequently worked to broker compromises between Democrats and Republicans. “I believe in my approach, but that’s not what America wants right now,” Sinema said in announcing his decision not to seek re-election.
Sinema’s decision frees her from fighting for the seat in a highly competitive state. Arizona Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego and former Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake are among the hottest candidates in the Senate race.
Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, chairman of the Senate Republican Campaign Committee, told CNN that Sinema’s decision not to run for reelection will help Lake’s candidacy.
“I wasn’t surprised by that announcement. And the polls actually show some advantage for Kali Lake out of all the polls we’ve done,” Daines said. . “So this gives us another great opportunity and gives us another open seat on the Senate map.”
She officially left the Democratic Party in 2022 and registered as a political independent, telling CNN’s Jake Tapper at the time: I’ve never actually tried it. I don’t want to. ”
“Removing myself from partisan structures is not only true to who I am and how I operate, but also provides a home for many people across the state and nation who are tired of partisanship.” I think,”’ she said in the interview.
Most recently, Mr. Sinema spoke to Republican Sen. James Lankford (Oklahoma) and Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy (Okla.) about a major bipartisan border deal intended to be combined with Ukraine and a foreign aid package. He served as a key negotiator with the state of Connecticut. Israel.
Senate Republicans initially called for the foreign aid package to be passed in conjunction with border measures, but ultimately opposed and blocked the border deal after harsh criticism of the package from former President Donald Trump. . The Senate continued to pass a foreign aid package that included aid to Ukraine and Israel with no border provisions, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he has no intention of considering the bill, and many House Republicans have said they would not go to Ukraine. is opposed to further support.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
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