PHOENIX – Progressive in the Arizona Democratic Party are forcing a vote to censure Sen. Kyrsten Sinema this week. The popular Blue Dog Democrat is accused by progressives of being too willing to work with Republicans and being too accommodating to the Trump administration.
According to The Hill, progressives are fuming over Sinema’s “vote to confirm David Bernhardt, Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of the Interior, as well as her vote to confirm William Barr as Attorney General.”
The Progressive Democrats issued a demand of Sinema calling on her to “support the tenets of the 2016 Democratic party platform.”
State coordinator for Progressive Democrats of America, Dan O’Neal, told the Arizona Republic his group hopes the threat of censure will encourage Sinema to get in line with her fellow Democrats.
“Here’s the thing – we really support Kyrsten Sinema, we want her to succeed, we want her to be the best senator in the country,” O’Neal told the Arizona Republic, but the way she is voting is really disappointing. We want Democrats to vote like Democrats and not Republicans.”
AZDem chair, Felecia Rotellini, told the Arizona Republic that the censure effort will likely fail but that doesn’t mean the Party is fractured. “I don’t think it’s an indication of a fracture,” said Rotellini. “I think it’s an indication of a group of people who think differently and have a different perspective on the same topic.”
Social media posts indicate a deep division within the Party.
Sinema has not been shy about her willingness to work both sides. Pinned to the top of her Twitter feed is an homage to the late Sen. John McCain.
“So, with Sen. McCain’s example lighting the way, and with the trust of the people of Arizona shaping my service, I recommit to ignoring political games, and focusing on upholding AZ values, to get things done that matter to the state and country I love.” https://t.co/KEOIYNIVcX
— Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) July 23, 2019
Sinema easily defeated her now-seatmate Martha McSally last election.