'One of the greatest political implosions of my life': Experts extol 'corrupt egomaniac' Sinema’s exit

05 March 2024

United States Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), who initially entered politics as a Democrat before switching parties in 2022, announced in a video posted to social media Tuesday that she would not seek re-election in 2024.

Last month, the Daily Beast's Sam Brodey and Roger Sollenberger reported Sinema's "bizarre spending suggests that she isn't serious about running for a second term."

Brodey and Sollenberger wrote, "Now, as Sinema reportedly considers whether to run for another term in 2024, it's hard to overstate the degree to which she has become a caricature of the type of politician she once bashed. The Beast reporters noted Sinema's unusual spending of $210,000 in taxpayer funds on private chartered air travel since 2020 — a practice that she herself had tried to ban just six years earlier."

The Arizona lawmaker lost immense financial support at the end of 2023 from major donors, who turned their support towards her Democratic opponent, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). Gallego will now face failed Arizona GOP gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake in the Senate race this fall.

In her announcement video, Sinema said, "The only political victories that matter these days are symbolic, attacking your opponents on cable news or social media. Compromise is a dirty word. I believe in my approach, but it's not what America wants right now," she continued. "Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year.

Several political experts, journalists and lawmakers did not hesitate to criticize the Arizona leader's legacy following her exit announcement.

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Will Bunch wrote, "One of the greatest political implosions of my lifetime."

The Prospect executive editor David Dayen said, "Instead of this 'the public doesn't want my wise counsel anymore' stuff, she could have just said 'the private equity job offer came through.'"

Washington Post columnist Perry Bacon Jr., replied, "A win for the activists and organizers in Arizona and around the country who rejected having a Democratic senator more interested in cutting deals with GOP senators and opposing tax increases on the wealthy than any liberal goals."

MSNBC contributor and Vanity Fair special correspondent Molly Jong-Fast wrote, "She’s off to do something truly admirable like working as a lobbyist….for big oil."

Former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner (D) wrote, "Kyrsten Sinema’s legacy as a Senator will be that she upheld the filibuster, tanking legislation enshrining voting rights, reproductive rights, doubling child poverty by not expanding the Child Tax Credit, and killing raising the minimum wage increase."

Melanie D'Arrigo, executive director for Campaign for New York Health said, "Don’t overthink Sen. Kyrsten Sinema leaving the Senate. She’s never been driven by compromise. She’s driven solely by which corporations and lobbyists gave her the most money — which makes her an elected mercenary, not an elected representative of the people."

Co-executive director of the grassroots organization Invisible Guide, Leah Greenberg, added, "Kyrsten Sinema will go down in history as a feckless, corrupt egomaniac who sabotaged abortion and voting rights and destroyed her own political career in the process. Enjoy your lobbying gig and leave the rest of us alone forever."

From Your Site Articles