Democratic nerves are on edge as they grapple with the uncertainty of the upcoming Senate race, concerned that their control of the Senate might be slipping away. The unease is amplified by the need to defend multiple seats, with Arizona emerging as a battleground that’s causing particular concern.
In Arizona, a complicated three-way showdown is unfolding, featuring Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who once identified as a Democrat but now considers herself an independent. She faces fierce competition from Democratic Representative Reuben Gallego and a strong Republican candidate, including the possibility of former GOP gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, who has announced her Senate candidacy.
As reported by Conservative Brief News on Monday, October 16, 2023, this race is happening in a traditionally Republican-leaning state that is currently showing some signs of leaning Democratic.
Reports indicate that there’s a simmering tension within the Democratic party regarding whom to back in this Arizona race. Some Arizona Democrats speculate that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer might endorse Rep. Reuben Gallego, partly due to lingering ill feelings within the party towards Sinema.
This ill feeling intensified after she changed her affiliation to independent last year, sparking concerns about her electoral chances.
However, not all Democrats agree on the best approach. Senate Democrats must tread carefully as Sinema continues to caucus with the Democratic party in the Senate, where Democrats hold a narrow majority.
A senior Democratic strategist explained that it’s a complex situation due to Sinema’s incumbency and her continued association with the party in the upper chamber, despite her independent status.
To highlight the complexity, the strategist pointed to the 2006 Connecticut Senate Democratic primary, where Senator Joe Lieberman, running as a Democrat, lost to fellow Democrat Ned Lamont.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) supported Lamont after his primary win, while Lieberman chose to run as an independent and eventually won the general election. However, Lieberman’s actions were seen as somewhat spiteful and vindictive.
It’s important to note that Sinema has not confirmed her intention to run for re-election, but reports suggest that her team has been exploring the possibility of forming a coalition with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.
Despite this, her fundraising efforts have been modest, with Federal Election Commission filings showing that she ended the third quarter with roughly $10.8 million, similar to her second-quarter figures.
In contrast, Rep. Reuben Gallego has been more successful in fundraising, raising approximately $3 million in the last quarter and maintaining around $5 million in cash on hand.
Recent surveys indicate a closely contested three-way race if Sinema decides to run, with her trailing behind. A poll by the GOP-linked firm National Research Inc. showed Kari Lake leading with 37 percent support, Gallego at 33 percent, and Sinema coming in third with 19 percent.
Furthermore, it’s highlighted that Sinema will need to gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, which could present an additional challenge. Given the fundraising situation and concerns about a ground game, many believe that Sinema faces substantial obstacles.
Democratic leadership, including Schumer, is expected to make calculated decisions on how to navigate this race, and privately, they might lean toward supporting Ruben Gallego due to constituency preferences. However, this remains a complex and evolving political scenario with significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.
