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AZProgressive

(29,322 posts)
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 03:43 PM Oct 2021

Arizona Democrats' frustration with Sinema comes to a head

Democratic anger with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) is beginning to reach a boil in Arizona over her opposition to Democrats' $3.5 trillion reconciliation package, fueling speculation that a primary challenger could be awaiting her when she runs for a second term in 2024.

A handful of Democratic groups critical of Sinema popped up this week, with some looking to fund a potential primary challenger and at least one looking to specifically recruit Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) to run against her in the Democratic nominating contest. At the same time, the Arizona Democratic Party is threatening to hold a no-confidence vote on Sinema unless she falls in line with the rest of her caucus.

Frustration within the Democratic base with Sinema had been bubbling up since the start of the Biden presidency due to her opposition to raising the minimum wage, abolishing the Senate filibuster and more. But her central role in helping stop the reconciliation bill from moving forward is getting activists particularly energized to take down a lawmaker they vigorously sought to elect three years ago.

"She's practically laying out a red carpet for" a primary challenge, said state Sen. Martin Quezada (D). "I think that's the next step that people here in Arizona, activists and members of the party are going to take, is to start building that war chest to fund a possible primary challenge against her."

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/574969-arizona-democrats-frustration-with-sinema-comes-to-a-head?amp&__twitter_impression=true

37 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Arizona Democrats' frustration with Sinema comes to a head (Original Post) AZProgressive Oct 2021 OP
I think this should happen to Manchin too. I don't believe he is the only one Maraya1969 Oct 2021 #1
Well stated...... MyOwnPeace Oct 2021 #17
WV went for Trump 68.62% to 29.69% for Biden. PoliticAverse Oct 2021 #27
If that meant that it is a definite GOP slot then how does Manchin keep getting in Maraya1969 Oct 2021 #29
How the Most Endangered Democrat in America Survived PoliticAverse Oct 2021 #30
Manchin was a popular former governor with name recognition DFW Oct 2021 #34
To primary her is to lose the seat. marybourg Oct 2021 #2
then find another Mark Kelly qazplm135 Oct 2021 #4
Scott might not be such a bad choice DFW Oct 2021 #35
Arizona is trending blue AZProgressive Oct 2021 #6
No, I don't think that's the case lees1975 Oct 2021 #8
That would be certain with Manchin, but not Sinema. nt SunSeeker Oct 2021 #9
Sorry, I disagree. The Demographics are in the Democrats favor. Just takes a competent grass roots. Tommymac Oct 2021 #10
She ran well to the left of where she's at now. paleotn Oct 2021 #11
She isn't winning shite if her numbers stay like this with AZ Dems: Favourable 17%, Unfavourable 65% Celerity Oct 2021 #13
All due respect, I heard a black man couldn't be elected president for most of 2007-2008. Gore1FL Oct 2021 #16
To keep her is to lose the seat. nt Xipe Totec Oct 2021 #18
This so this RANDYWILDMAN Oct 2021 #21
Did Cinema run as a conservative? tenderfoot Oct 2021 #23
She ran as "strong and independent"... PoliticAverse Oct 2021 #32
Nope budkin Oct 2021 #36
when she makes statements like she made today qazplm135 Oct 2021 #3
Oh no, she really cares... Tommymac Oct 2021 #12
Oooh, I really like Gallego. W_HAMILTON Oct 2021 #5
+10000000000000000 Celerity Oct 2021 #14
she knows going to get canned & will be talking to the deepest pocket's ! monkeyman1 Oct 2021 #7
Don't piss her off so she flips republican and gives Moscow Mitch 51 Submariner Oct 2021 #15
And ain't that the s**t..... MyOwnPeace Oct 2021 #19
That's f**ked up Traildogbob Oct 2021 #20
why does running a primary challenger to her keep coming up? am I miscounting her term length? cadoman Oct 2021 #22
You are correct. And I don't think she will be running in the Democratic primary in 2024 anyway. PoliticAverse Oct 2021 #31
I get the frustration, but sounds like some groups are money-grabbing off this situation cadoman Oct 2021 #33
Most Dems see Sinema clearly. BeckyDem Oct 2021 #24
she gets in some hot water... stillcool Oct 2021 #25
Me too. BeckyDem Oct 2021 #37
Yes please Gallego jcgoldie Oct 2021 #26
I like the way the AZ Dem Party put that.. Cha Oct 2021 #28

Maraya1969

(22,482 posts)
1. I think this should happen to Manchin too. I don't believe he is the only one
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 04:07 PM
Oct 2021

who can win that seat.

An X-military who speaks to the needs to WV and tells everyone of Manchin's connections that make him vote against the people of the US.

Even thinking of that gets me mad. These people are elected to represent their constituents and work for the good of them. When I see one working for the good of themselves it really upsets me. They will allow millions to suffer so they can make even more money.

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
27. WV went for Trump 68.62% to 29.69% for Biden.
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 07:56 PM
Oct 2021

The other senator from West Virginia, Republican Shelley Moore Capito won with 70.3% of the vote in 2020 over Democrat Paula Jean Swearengin (27.0% of the vote).

From:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_United_States_presidential_election_in_West_Virginia
https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_election_in_West_Virginia,_2020


DFW

(54,403 posts)
34. Manchin was a popular former governor with name recognition
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 02:21 AM
Oct 2021

And Morrisey was a certifiable nut case. Manchin had a few factors going in his favor.

marybourg

(12,633 posts)
2. To primary her is to lose the seat.
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 04:10 PM
Oct 2021

This is Arizona. I love Ruben, but there’s no way he can win statewide. It would be a certain loss of the seat. That’s just the way it is here at the current time, and no amout of attacking me is going to change it .Think on it hard. She was the first Dem to win the seat in 20 years and she won it for a reason. And Kelly talks very conservatively in AZ , in case someone was to point to him.

qazplm135

(7,447 posts)
4. then find another Mark Kelly
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 04:13 PM
Oct 2021

I believe his twin is available.

And however he talks, Kelly isn't the block on the BBB plan...nor is he issuing statements attacking leadership.

DFW

(54,403 posts)
35. Scott might not be such a bad choice
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 02:24 AM
Oct 2021

And think of the first state to send identical twins (both former astronauts!) to the Senate!

AZProgressive

(29,322 posts)
6. Arizona is trending blue
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 04:24 PM
Oct 2021

Sinema could be a Senator here for life if she didn’t obstruct the Democrats agenda most of the time. Voters also voted for Biden and Kelly has a good shot at being Senator for life if he wins in 2022. I have no issues voting and even donating for him.

lees1975

(3,860 posts)
8. No, I don't think that's the case
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 06:02 PM
Oct 2021

The best the GOP could put forward over the past two election cycles was Martha McSally, and she lost by a quarter of a million votes the last time. Gallegos is a strong draw, motivates the Latino vote which is key and the state senate just sunk their shot at keeping their majority with the cyber ninja nonsense.

It's a lost seat now with Sinema. What needs to happen is that her offices need to be flooded with phone calls and emails urging her to act like the people who elected her expect her to act.

Tommymac

(7,263 posts)
10. Sorry, I disagree. The Demographics are in the Democrats favor. Just takes a competent grass roots.
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 06:05 PM
Oct 2021

Sen Kelly has 88% approval in AZ.

There are plenty of Great Democrats who can poll better then Sinema.

The grass root supporters are there and I believe the roots will be well organized and motivated in 2022,2024 and beyond.



paleotn

(17,931 posts)
11. She ran well to the left of where she's at now.
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 06:06 PM
Oct 2021

and yet she won. Growth in Phoenix is changing Arizona as we speak. Same thing was and is going on in North Carolina and Georgia.

Gore1FL

(21,132 posts)
16. All due respect, I heard a black man couldn't be elected president for most of 2007-2008.
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 06:11 PM
Oct 2021

I am not sure she can keep her seat.

RANDYWILDMAN

(2,672 posts)
21. This so this
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 06:45 PM
Oct 2021

and who in Arizona likes her ???

Gabby Giffords could run and win that seat if she wanted.

Arizona has has some sharp and connected democrats who could take that seat.

Tommymac

(7,263 posts)
12. Oh no, she really cares...
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 06:07 PM
Oct 2021

about her own net worth and personal power.

Gotta keep buying bubblegum and those silly school girl wannabe outfits.

 

monkeyman1

(5,109 posts)
7. she knows going to get canned & will be talking to the deepest pocket's !
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 06:01 PM
Oct 2021

money talk's - bull-shit walk,s !

Traildogbob

(8,748 posts)
20. That's f**ked up
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 06:38 PM
Oct 2021

If some one switches parties they should have to repay all the money spent to get them elected.

cadoman

(792 posts)
22. why does running a primary challenger to her keep coming up? am I miscounting her term length?
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 06:46 PM
Oct 2021

I feel like I'm missing something very obvious here for this to keep coming up in discussions.

Sinema assumed office January 3, 2019. Senate terms are six years. That puts her there till January 2025.

She has more time than Biden does to turn her ship around. Are they gonna join Republicans and do a recall of some kind? What exactly would be the process for getting her out before 2025?

"Early polling shows that Sinema could be vulnerable in 2024 if unrest among the base lingers for another three years."

Is this even a serious discussion? If COVID has taught us anything it's how fast things can change in three years. No one would even recognize the country from two years ago.

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
31. You are correct. And I don't think she will be running in the Democratic primary in 2024 anyway.
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 10:46 PM
Oct 2021

It's just people channeling their frustration now.

cadoman

(792 posts)
33. I get the frustration, but sounds like some groups are money-grabbing off this situation
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 12:05 AM
Oct 2021

Maybe taking advantage of people's ignorance about term lengths.

Fortunes can change quickly, and people have short term memories. She does one thing good and all this would be forgiven.

Cha

(297,290 posts)
28. I like the way the AZ Dem Party put that..
Sat Oct 2, 2021, 08:10 PM
Oct 2021

"Sinema is really laying out the Red Carpet for a Primary Challenger... "

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