Kyrsten Sinema takes shot at progressive Dem challenging her in 2024: ‘Could use a break’
Cami Mondeaux
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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) hit out against Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) just days after the latter announced his Senate bid to challenge the incumbent in 2024, arguing the Copper state could “use a break” from another contentious election cycle.
“Arizona just got through a brutal election season — I think we all could use a break,” Sinema said in a tweet. “As I did with infrastructure, tribal water security, drought relief, LGBTQ+ rights, Chips, and so much more, I’m going to keep making good on my promise to deliver real results for our state.”
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Gallego announced on Monday his intent to challenge Sinema for her Senate seat in Arizona, setting the stage for what is likely to be a high-stakes election in 2024. The race has taken on new significance after Sinema announced in December she would no longer identify as a Democrat, putting the party on edge as they seek to maintain their Senate majority.
Sinema is considered to be one of the more vulnerable senators up for reelection in 2024, particularly as she has faced criticism from Democrats for opposing much of President Joe Biden’s agenda in the last Congress. Because Democrats only held a 50-50 majority in the upper chamber, losing Sinema’s support on any bill threatened to sink the legislation altogether.
Gallego has long hinted at challenging Sinema for her seat, telling CNN last year that a group of Democratic senators had approached him to run in 2024. His presence in the race could threaten to split the Democratic vote should Sinema run for reelection, giving Republicans a chance to pick up a key Senate seat as they vie to gain control of the upper chamber.
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 circumstances put Republicans in a strong position to flip some crucial Senate seats that could easily shift the current balance of power in the upper chamber.
Republicans only need to flip one Senate seat to win the majority should they win back the White House in 2024. If they don’t regain the Oval Office, the party only needs to secure two extra Senate seats.
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The nonpartisan Cook Political Report released its first race ratings for the 2024 Senate playing field, with just three states rated as toss-ups, including Arizona, West Virginia, and Ohio.
Those ratings also put Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in tight positions, as the two Democratic incumbents will need to defend their seats in states that former President Donald Trump won by 39 and eight percentage points in 2020, respectively.