The Senate Republican campaign arm has targeted centrist Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., in a new attack ad, attempting to deter her from seeking re-election in 2024. The advertisement labels Sinema as a “liberal Democrat” and strongly links her to President Joe Biden, reflecting the GOP’s concerns about Sinema potentially gathering more support from Arizona Republicans than Democrats. The ad signals the party’s strategy to weaken Sinema with Arizona Republicans as she remains undecided about a re-election bid.
Although Sinema votes in line with Biden 94% of the time, it is a misconception that she is always an ally of the president. She has challenged some of Biden’s initiatives and prevented them from coming to a vote. Sinema’s warm relationship with numerous GOP senators and her decision to become an independent last December make her a viable candidate for Republicans in Arizona. However, Rep. Ruben Gallego, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, has emerged as a contentious figure in this race.
In response to the new attack ad, Gallego’s campaign has expressed strong opposition, characterizing the ad as “baseless” and “personally invasive.” The ongoing battle and rising tension between the party campaigns for the Arizona Senate seat are emblematic of a polarized political landscape. As the political contest heats up, the outcome of the Arizona Senate race remains uncertain, with both Sinema and Gallego securing significant support within their respective political bases.