Dem Sinema wins Arizona Senate seat

In one of the tightest races of the 2018 midterm elections, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema was elected the first female senator from Arizona.

The Democrat and threeterm congresswoman, was declared the winner Monday over Republican opponent Martha McSally almost a week after polls.

Sinema’s victory came after election officials finished tallying 600,000 mail-in ballots.

“As long as I’ve served Arizona, I’ve worked to help others see our common humanity & find common ground. That’s the same approach I’ll take to representing our great state in the Senate, where I’ll be an independent voice for all Arizonans,” Sinema tweeted. “Thank you, Arizona. Let’s get to work.”

McSally conceded the race, and wished Sinema success.

“I’m grateful to all those who supported me in this journey,” McSally tweeted. “I’m inspired by Arizonans’ spirit and our state’s best days are ahead of us.”

Besides being Arizona’s first woman senator, Sinema (inset) will also be the first openly bisexual member of the Senate.

The 42-year-old former activist is also the first Arizona Democrat to serve in the Senate since Sen. Dennis DeConcini left office in 1995.

Arizona is now the second state to flip a Republican Senate seat. Democrat Jacky Rosen unseated Sen. Dean Heller in Nevada. Sinema replaces Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, who decided not to run.

The messy finish in Arizona came amid cries of voter fraud from President Trump.

“Just out — in Arizona, SIGNATURES DON’T MATCH. Electoral corruption - Call for a new Election? We must protect our Democracy!” he tweeted without evidence late last week.

Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan, a Republican, said in a statement last week that the count took time because officials wanted to double-check signatures on 320,000 “early” ballots.