Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said Sunday that she would not consider becoming a member of the Republican Party, months after she switched her affiliation from Democrat to Independent.
During an appearance on CBS’s “Face The Nation,” Sinema told moderator Margaret Brennan about how the two political party systems in the U.S. are broken. She noted how both the Republican and Democratic parties have gone to extreme rhetoric and moved away from working together.
“However, Margaret, as you see every day, there is less tolerance for difference in today’s political climate.” Individuals were less willing to have their own thoughts and make their own decisions,” Sinema told Brennan. “And I believe we have a responsibility to remind everyone that they should think for themselves.” It’s fine not to agree with someone completely. It is critical to our democracy that you do not do that.”
When Brennan asked Sinema if she’s done with parties entirely Sinema replied: “Absolutely.”
“Now that you’re an Independent, you’ll never become a Republican?” Brennan asked.
“No. I mean, I just, I’m laughing because I literally just spent time explaining how broken the two parties are,” Sinema replied.
Sinema, who is up for reelection in 2024, announced late last year that she would leave the Democratic party and officially register as an Independent, telling CNN in an interview that this move makes a lot of sense for her since she didn’t fit into “any party box.”
“I’ve never fit neatly into any party box. I’ve never really tried. I don’t want to,” Sinema told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “Removing myself from the partisan structure — not only is it true to who I am and how I operate, but 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.”