Looks like we have a quality Dem challenger for Jeff Flake's Arizona Senate Seat

[geek tragedy]

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/346161-arizona-democrat-eying-a-bid-for-senate

Arizona Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema is eying a Senate bid, according to a new report, in a move that would give Democrats a top recruit in the race to unseat Republican Sen. Jeff Flake


Phoenix's KPNX-TV reports that sources familiar with Sinema's plans have confirmed that she will run against Flake, but the congresswoman has not officially announced any decision.

She's been the subject of rumors surrounding a possible bid throughout the year. Reporters had taken her declaration that she is "running for reelection" to mean that she would seek to remain in the House. But Sinema later clarified that she had been referring to her current status instead of swearing off a jump toward the Senate.

If Sinema ultimately goes through with a bid, she instantly becomes the Democratic favorite in what's likely to be one of the toughest Senate races in the country. Both Sinema and Flake are strong fundraisers — she has more than $3.2 million in her campaign account as of July, while Flake has just under $3 million.

Democrats believe they can topple Flake thanks to both the trends in the state as well as Flake's issues with the GOP base.

She's been a ConservaDem on some issues while in the House, but that will pay off when running statewide in a state like Arizona. She's definitely not a cookie-cutter pol.

[LonePirate]

1. Correction: We have a big name Dem challenger. Sinema has several votes many Dems would oppose.

I certainly want to have any Dem in that seat, including Sinema. However, I would prefer Rep. Raul Grijalva or the Democratic mayor of Phoenix, Greg Stanton. Sinema is a wild card and we could not always count on her vote. The big question is if she is the best chance for Dems to win that seat. I honestly do not know the answer to that question.

[geek tragedy]

2. quality as in can actually win the seat. Grijalva is awesome but he's not viable statewide in

Republican state.

[LonePirate]

3. She may very well be the Dem with the best chance to win the seat. If so, great.

We just need to be very cautious with her as she will likely side with the Republicans far more than any other Dem. If we somehow manage to claw our way back to a 50-50 tie or even a 51-49 majority, there will be intense pressure on her by the Republicans to switch parties.

Again, we need to be very cautious with her. Hopefully she runs, wins and remains a solidly loyal Dem.

[geek tragedy]

4. she's in no conceivable way a Republican

pro-choice, bisexual non-theist, favors some modest gun control efforts, supports stuff like the DREAM Act, pro-environment, etc.

That's not going to go over in the Republican party of Joe Arpaio.

[LanternWaste]

5. Her positions as listed on Wikipedia seem (for the most part) in-line with the Democratic platform.

Her positions as listed on Wikipedia seem (for the most part) in-line with the Democratic platform. All other things being equal, she appears to be a candidate very qualified to run on our platform.

Pro's:
Sinema voted against repealing the Affordable Care Act (Sinema said, "I used to say that I wanted universal health-care coverage in Arizona, which went over like a ton of bricks. Turns out, Arizonans hear the word 'universal' and think 'socialism'—or 'pinko commie.' But when I say that I want all Arizonans to have access to affordable, quality health care, Arizonans agree wholeheartedly. Same basic idea, different language." )

...called military action 'an inappropriate response to terrorism' and advocated for using the legal system — not violence — to bring Osama bin Laden and others to justice." Sinema wrote: "As one of the core organizers against the war from day one (September 12, 2011), I have always and will always continue to oppose war in all its forms."

advocated against the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories

She supports reducing defense spending.

favors higher income taxation of the wealthy over cutting services. She has voted in support of federal stimulus spending. She has said: "Raising taxes is more economically sound than cutting vital social services."

Sinema supports abortion rights. She has been endorsed by EMILY's List

Sinema argues that mass deportation of illegal immigrants is not an option and supported the DREAM Act.



Con's:
Sinema voted for the SAFE Act

Sinema was one of just five House Democrats to vote for a Republican-backed bill barring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from regulating broadband rates

[sweetloukillbot]

11. She caught a lot of crap for some strategic votes around the shutdown a couple years ago

Her seat is not nearly as safe as some portray it, it's a swing district that she barely won initially, thanks to third party voters splitting the vote on the right. Since then she's hewed towards the middle when her vote wouldn't make a difference, and she's become extremely popular in her district. She's also a blue dog, because that's what keeps her elected in a purple district in a red state.
Before she was a representative, she was a social worker, social justice advocate, a professor at ASU and hosted a radio show on the local Air America.
She's been my representative in the state house, state senate and now in Congress. She is not Conservative and she would be a strong candidate to run against Flake (or for McCain's seat for that matter). In fact, I've expected this for over a decade as I followed her career.

[geek tragedy]

14. sounds (and kind of looks) like another Kirsten ...

(I know, different spelling.)

[jzola]

6. Kyrsten would be great

She has great political instincts and she's a terrific fund raiser. I think when it really makes a difference in outcome she's on our side. I hope she decides to run. I believe she understands the "art of politics".

[awesomerwb1]

7. Is her district a "safe" district

or would we be potentially losing a Dem seat in the House?

[geek tragedy]

10. she won by 60% the past two elections.

Safe as long as she's there, Phoenix's mayor looks poised to run for her seat. he would be favored to win I think

[sweetloukillbot]

12. It is a swing district, but it has gone blue since it's creation

Of course, she's been the only representative in the district...
It's central Phoenix - lots of pockets of blue, college students and hipsters, but also a lot of rich Republicans around Paradise Valley. There is also a strong Jewish community in her district and some primarily Latino neighborhoods. I think demographics are probably working in our favor since the district was drawn in 2010.

[Vogon_Glory]

8. And what are Sinema's chances if Flake gets primaries?

Are her chances better or worse if AZ Republicans vote for someone more extreme than Flake?

Just wondering.

[geek tragedy]

9. Republican infighting hurts their chances regardless of who wins the primary, I would think

Flake is extremely conservative, he's just thought of as moderate because he makes at least a pretense of being intellectually consistent and honest.

[nkpolitics1212]

20. Sinema's chances are better if AZ Republicans vote for someone more extreme than Flake.

[Gothmog]

13. This seat is winnable

[Coventina]

15. I would be thrilled to vote for Sinema.

She is ardently pro-choice, and as an "out" bi-sexual she is very pro-LGBT.

[sweetloukillbot]

16. One of my first exposures to her was on the Ed Schultz Show

He was touting some conspiracy theory about Katrina refugees being treated like prisoners in Phoenix that was obviously bullshit on its face, and she called in to talk about what was actually going on and the efforts that the state, as well as local social workers, were doing to help them out. I knew she was my state rep at the time, but didn't know much about her background. She impressed me with her passion and sounded genuine about her concern.

Schultz shouted her down and cut her off, essentially calling her a lying politician.

[mcar]

17. Great news!

[brooklynite]

18. Ms. Sinema voted with House GOP to block Syrian refugees...

I don't have a lit of dealbreaker issues, but that's one of thrm.

[geek tragedy]

19. It would be a deal breaker for me in Brooklyn

Arizona is a much different story.