Sinema indicates she won’t challenge Flake for Senate

U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema on Wednesday appeared to squelch the notion that she might run for incumbent U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake’s seat next year.

Speaking on Phoenix radio KTAR, Sinema, D-Ariz., confirmed she is running for re-election in the Phoenix area’s 9th Congressional District and not angling to take on Flake, a Republican, who is pursuing a second Senate term in 2018.

“You know, I’m running for re-election and ... it has been really the greatest honor of my life to serve Arizona’s 9th District,” Sinema said in answer to a question about a possible Senate bid. “... I’m overcome with just gratitude about the role that I’m able to play for Arizona. And it’s my honor. So I’m running for reelection. Very happy, very proud to do it.”

Sinema, now serving her third House term, has been considered a potentially formidable foe for Flake. As of the end of March, she had $2.8 million cash on hand. Flake had only $1.8 million to spend.

Deedra Abboud, a Phoenix attorney, already is seeking the Democratic nomination for Senate. Abboud announced her candidacy last month, so she hasn’t yet filed campaign-finance reports with the Federal Election Commission.

Flake also must first win his party’s renomination before proceeding to the 2018 general election. He is facing former state Sen. Kelli Ward of Lake Havasu City in the GOP Senate primary. Ward’s campaign had $103,770 on hand as of March 31, according to the FEC.

There also has been talk of other Republicans getting into the race, including Arizona state Treasurer Jeff DeWit, who is close to President Donald Trump. During last year’s presidential race, Flake refused to endorse or vote for Trump.

Nowicki is The Arizona Republic’s national political reporter. Follow him on Twitter, @dannowicki.