(TownHall) Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema left the Democratic Party to become an independent, the lawmaker told CNN.
In an interview with host Jake Tapper, she explained why the decision makes the most sense.
“I’ve never fit neatly into any party box. I’ve never really tried. I don’t want to,” she said. “Removing myself from the partisan structure – not only is it true to who I am and how I operate, I also think it’ll provide a place of belonging for many folks across the state and the country, who also are tired of the partisanship.”
Sinema will become the third independent in the upper chamber, joining Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine, both of whom caucus with Democrats.
While Sinema declined to say whether she would do the same, she expects to keep her committee assignments—”a signal that she doesn’t plan to upend the Senate composition,” according to CNN.
“When I come to work each day, it’ll be the same,” Sinema said. “I’m going to still come to work and hopefully serve on the same committees I’ve been serving on and continue to work well with my colleagues at both political parties.”
Sinema also detailed her decision in an op-ed published Friday.
