Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) refused to back Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) over the weekend when asked about her leaving the Democratic Party late last year.
Kelly was asked about Sinema during a Sunday interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper.
Tapper mentioned how Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) indicated that he believes Sinema needed to be supported because of her “independent spirit.”
“Do you agree with him?” Tapper asked. “Or do you anticipate supporting whoever the Democratic nominee for that Senate seat would be?”
“Well, I’m not going to get ahead of Senator Sinema. She hasn’t made an announcement,” Kelly responded. “What she has said is, she doesn’t want to be focused on politics right now. I have worked with her very closely over the last two years, I mean, really in a very positive way. She’s very effective in the United States Senate. We have got a lot done. And I look forward to doing that over the next months and the rest of this year.”
WATCH:
Arizona Democrat Senator Mark Kelly says nice things about his "independent" fellow Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema — but won't say if he'll back her for re-election in 2024. pic.twitter.com/kSayDDpn4d
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TRANSCRIPT:
JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: Lastly, sir, your fellow Arizona Senator, independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema, her term ends in 2024.
Your fellow Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said on the show that — quote — “I would think that she needs to be supported again, yes,” because of her — quote — “independent spirit” — unquote.
Do you agree with him? Or do you anticipate supporting whoever the Democratic nominee for that Senate seat would be?
SEN. MARK KELLY (D-AZ): Well, I’m not going to get ahead of Senator Sinema. She hasn’t made an announcement.
What she has said is, she doesn’t want to be focused on politics right now. I have worked with her very closely over the last two years, I mean, really in a very positive way. She’s very effective in the United States Senate. We have got a lot done. And I look forward to doing that over the next months and the rest of this year.
Related: Top Democratic Advisor Explains Why Sinema Left Party, And Why It Might Backfire Anyway