…Sinema’s decision to switch to an independent staved off the possibility of being ousted in a primary by a more traditional Democrat candidate, like Representative Ruben Gallego, who is rumored to be preparing his own bid against Sinema, in the primaries, political strategist Matt Klink told Newsweek
“She believes she has a greater likelihood of making and winning a November 2024 general election this way,” he said.
…In line with its long history of being a swing state, Arizona is poised to once again be “host to one of the hottest Senate races,” Klink said. A possible three-way race featuring Sinema, Lake and Gallego “would really shuffle political calculus even more…and likely hand the seat back to a Republican candidate.”
…Although “Sinema believes that a moderate center is enough to carry her to victory,” according to Klink, her victory won’t be guaranteed until her opponents in the Senate race are decided, and it becomes apparent just how far those rivals will be from the middle she has outlined.
