
(Tweet from @amloeb)
Her switch risks splitting the Democratic vote in Arizona in 2024.
US Sen. Kyrsten Sinema announced Friday that she switched parties, going from a Democrat to an Arizona independent.
Sinema, who was once a Green Party activist and faces reelection in 2024, has frustrated Democratic colleagues at times with her coziness with Republicans and opposition to Democratic priorities.
The party switch opened plenty of opportunities for memes.
People shared how unsurprised they were by the move.
Others went after her for her history of pushing back against Democrats.
Some poked fun at Sinema’s penchant for standing out of the crowd.
And others expressed general disdain for the senator.
Sinema’s move comes just days after Democrats had expanded their majority to 51-49 for the new year, following the party’s runoff election win in Georgia.
Her switch risks splitting the Democratic vote in Arizona in 2024 between Sinema and the eventual Democratic nominee, giving Republicans a solid opening.
A political action committee, Primary Sinema, that is raising money to support a potential challenger, said the money it has already raised will now be used to back “a real Democrat” in 2024.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Looking for the latest Arizona news? Sign up for our FREE daily newsletter.
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Arizonans and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at The Copper Courier has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Arizona families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.


He said what? 10 things to know about RFK Jr.
The Kennedy family has long been considered “Democratic royalty.” But Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.—son of Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated while...

Here’s everything you need to know about this month’s Mercury retrograde
Does everything in your life feel a little more chaotic than usual? Or do you feel like misunderstandings are cropping up more frequently than they...

Arizona expects to be back at the center of election attacks. Its officials are going on offense
Republican Richer and Democrat Fontes are taking more aggressive steps than ever to rebuild trust with voters, knock down disinformation, and...

George Santos’ former treasurer running attack ads in Arizona with Dem-sounding PAC name
An unregistered, Republican-run political action committee from Texas with a deceptively Democratic name and ties to disgraced US Rep. George Santos...