Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) threw some sharp words at Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) on Tuesday, ramping up attacks against the ex-Democrat as she mulls a reelection bid to the Senate in 2024.
“If she wants to end up in third place for the first time ever that any senator ended up in third place, she has a right to do that,” Gallego told CNN, implying that Sinema would come in last in an expected three-way race should she choose to run for a second term.
SINEMA TOUTS MASSIVE WAR CHEST ADVANTAGE BUT LAGS BEHIND FOR IN FIRST QUARTER HAUL
Despite Gallego’s criticism, a loss for Sinema wouldn’t be the first time an incumbent senator came in last in a three-way race. The 1970 Senate race in New York featured three candidates, with GOP incumbent Charles Goodell losing to Democrat Richard Ottinger and James Buckley, who was elected as a member of the Conservative Independent Alliance Party.
Gallego announced a challenge to Sinema in January, setting the stage for what is likely to be a competitive race in the crucial battleground state. Sinema has not yet announced whether she intends to run for reelection, but if she does, she’s set to face opponents from both sides of the political spectrum.
Gallego has so far outraised Sinema in the 2024 cycle, reporting a haul of $3.7 million in the first fundraising quarter compared to the incumbent’s $2.1 million. However, Sinema benefits from a large war chest with almost $10 million cash on hand compared to Gallego’s $2.7 million, according to campaign finance filings submitted to the Federal Election Commission.
The GOP primary field has not yet taken shape, although it’s expected that failed gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake could launch a Senate bid in the coming months. She would face Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, who announced his candidacy earlier this month.
Gallego has emerged as the front-runner in the 2024 Senate race, besting Sinema and other GOP challengers in preliminary polling. Gallego leads the field in any three-way race involving himself, Sinema, and a Republican, according to a February OH Predictive Insights survey.
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There are a total of 34 Senate seats up for grabs in the 2024 election cycle. Of these, Democrats must defend 23, compared to just 11 for Republicans. The circumstance puts Republicans in a strong position to flip some crucial Senate seats that could easily shift the current balance of power in the upper chamber.
The Senate seat in Arizona has been rated a “toss-up” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, making it one of the most competitive races so far.
