How Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s Switch Complicates Democrats’ 2024 Election Plans

GOP is seen as having many chances to win in red-leaning, swing states

Centrist Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona has yet to say whether she will run for re-election.PHOTO: AL DRAGO/BLOOMBERG NEWS

By Eliza CollinsFollow

Updated Dec. 14, 2022 1:30 pm ETPRINTTEXT

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WASHINGTON—Centrist Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s decision to register as an independent has dealt Democrats an election wild-card headed into the 2024 contests, with the party already facing an unfavorable map as it tries to hang onto its narrow majority.

Arizona is viewed as one of the key contests in the next cycle, when the Democratic caucus is expected to defend 23 seats, compared with 11 for Republicans. Ms. Sinema had been seen as facing a difficult primary if she ran again as a Democrat, but becoming an independent removes that hurdle.

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