Senate Shakeup: Prominent Democrat Defects from Party

Senator Kyrsten Sinema, serving as senior Senator for Arizona, just announced she's leaving the Democrat Party and registering as an independent, stating:

When politicians are more focused on denying the opposition party a victory than they are on improving Americans’ lives, the people who lose are everyday Americans. That’s why I have joined the growing numbers of Arizonans who reject party politics by declaring my independence from the broken partisan system in Washington. I registered as an Arizona independent.

I certainly didn’t see this coming when I got up this morning, but after all the abuse and mud-slinging Sinema has endured for not towing the party’s far-Left line, I can’t say I blame her.

Sen. Sinema appeared on CNN with Jake Tapper to explain her decision to go independent:

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is leaving the Democratic Party and registering as a political independent, she told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an exclusive TV interview.

“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 said in a Thursday interview with Tapper in her Senate office. 

“I’ve never fit neatly into any party box. I’ve never really tried. I don’t want to,” she added. “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.”

Some are asking why she would do this, especially now after the Democrats are taking their victory lap for the Senate. But as she implied, she feels the party has stopped serving the people. And her own party is already putting up candidates to run against her in own home state of Arizona.

Sen. Sinema switching to Independent also at least throws a wrench in the works for the Democrats, especially in the Senate, as my dad, ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, explained:

It’s an interesting dynamic and of course the news is going ballistic because this kind of upsets the apple cart. We don’t know exactly where this is going to fall in. But one of the things that is clear and I think that we’ve got to recognize here is at the end of this process when she decides, she could caucus with the Republicans if she wanted to. Or not caucus with anyone. The question will be will she keep her committee seats and that’s going to be the great challenge.

Now mind you this is not some sweeping victory for Republicans. Sinema will likely continue voting the same way she has been throughout her time in the Senate. And don’t believe some mainstream media reports, because she’s still very much on the Left. And take note she waited until AFTER the midterms, most likely to not hurt the Democrat candidates’ chances. She’s still looking out for her friends on the Left, even if they aren’t doing the same for her.

But it certainly drives another wedge into the Democrat party. And now many are wondering if her colleague – polarizing Democrat Senator Joe Manchin – might be considering following suit.

Today’s full Sekulow broadcast includes more in-depth analysis of Sen. Sinema’s surprising move, and how it could affect the Senate going forward. We also discussed more shadow banning and censoring of conservatives on social media platforms, including your ACLJ.

Watch the full broadcast below: