Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema announced on Friday that she left the Democratic Party and registered as an independent.
“I’ve registered as an Arizona independent. I know some people might be a little bit surprised by this, but actually, I think it makes a lot of sense,” Sinema told CNN.
“I’ve never fit neatly into any party box. I’ve never really tried. I don’t want to. Removing myself from the partisan structure — not only is it true to who I am and how I operate, I also think it’ll provide a place of belonging for many folks across the state and the country who also are tired of the partisanship,” she added.
Sinema’s announcement comes days after Democrats expand their majority in the Senate to 51-49 after Sen. Raphael Warnock defeated Herschel Walker in the Georgia runoff.
Two independent, Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine, caucuses with Democrats.
While Sinema did not say whether she plans to caucus with Democrats she told CNN that she expects to keep her committee assignments.
“When I come to work each day, it’ll be the same,” Sinema said. “I’m going to still come to work and hopefully serve on the same committees I’ve been serving on and continue to work well with my colleagues at both political parties.”
[Featured Image: J. Scott Applewhite/ Associated Press. ]
