Rep. Kyrsten Sinema won the Arizona Democratic primary Tuesday in her bid to succeed Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, who is retiring at the end of his term.
Sinema will face Republican Rep. Martha McSally in November for the Senate seat. Both refused to debate their primary opponents and avoided press.
But Sinema, who has served in the House since 2013, is well positioned entering the final stretch of the campaign. Unlike McSally, Sinema cruised through the primary, allowing her to stake out her positions against Republicans, and maintain a sizable war chest.
Sinema is known for her centrist stances, aligning with the Blue Dog Caucus in the House. In July, she said she’d vote against Sen. Chuck Schumer for Democratic leader if elected. At a food bank in Phoenix last week Sinema distanced herself from progressive calls for expanding Medicare coverage.
“I do not support Medicare for all,” Sinema said. “I am really focused on the solutions that are realistic, are pragmatic and can get done in our current situation.”
Sinema, likely Democratic #AZSEN candidate: “I do not support Medicare for all. I am really focused on the solutions that are realistic, are pragmatic and can get done in our current situation.” pic.twitter.com/jXN5VFtBPB
— Vaughn Hillyard (@VaughnHillyard) August 22, 2018
Sinema has spent millions on TV ads targeting independent voters, who could prove critical to flipping the seat.
