Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema Outraised By Chief Democratic Challenger, Rep. Ruben Gallego

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Arizona) was outraised by chief Democratic challenger Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) for the second consecutive quarter by a two-to-one margin.

Sinema has not yet announced a bid for re-election next year but has raised $1.7 million from April 1 to June 30. Gallego, who has already launched a bid for Sinema’s seat, raised $3.1 million in that same time period.

Sinema’s fundraising total dropped slightly since the first quarter, in which she brought in $2.1 million. She has remained reliant on corporate political action committees and did not receive any donations from the campaign accounts of other senators. Gallego, on the other hand, did not raise any money from PACs.

“Arizonians are sick of extreme career candidates constantly saying and doing whatever it takes to raise more and more money,” said a Sinema spokesperson in a statement. “Kyrsten promised Arizonians she’d be an independent Senator who delivers last solutions, and that’s exactly what she’s done.”

Since Sinema left the Democratic party and registered as an independent last year, she has been under close watch by Senate Democrats for her campaign progress and tactics. Should she enter the 2024 Senate race, which is already predicted to be quite tumultuous, she would split the field three ways and possibly divert votes from Democratic nominees, increasing Republicans’ odds of flipping the seat.

According to polls, Sinema is the most unpopular politician in Arizona. As Democrat, she voted against a number of President Joe Biden‘s priorities and took large donations from lobbyists.

Only one major Republican from Arizona has announced his candidacy. Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb raised $608,000 last quarter, though conservatives are anticipating a bid from the state’s former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, an avid supporter of Donald Trump.

Article by Ava Lombardi