The Motives and Implications of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's Independent Turn

Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema left the Democratic Party and is registering as an independent. The move by Sinema, who has frequently bucked and scaled back Democratic policy proposals, is not predicted to drastically upset the balance of power in the Senate but is being framed by some as an indication of increasing frustration and dissolution with the two-party system, and by others as a political plot by Sinema to retain her position against an expected Democratic primary challenge in her next election.

From the Left: Greg Sargent called Sinema’s decision “an epic gamble born of necessity,” determining it to be “her only chance at keeping her Arizona Senate seat beyond 2024.” A writer in Newsweek (Center Bias) said Sinema’s move “exposes how little she cares for the party she called home for her career—and for that party's voters,” determining that she is “fully aware of the kamikaze mission she's on” and how it will hinder both the Democratic Party and her own political ambitions moving forward.

From the Right: Many on the right praised Sinema’s move and predicted how the decision would impact the larger political stage. Quin Hillyer tied Sinema’s announcement to a broader movement of voters away from political affiliations, stating that “the public hunger remains for candidates less interested in toeing party lines” and predicting the move increasing the odds of a third-party President in the near future. Brad Polumbo (Lean Right Bias) praised Sinema and declared that “the people share Sinema's frustrations with both establishment parties.”