Gallego says he’ll run for Sinema’s Arizona Senate seat

Rep. Ruben Gallego Monday announced he’s running for the Arizona Senate seat held by moderate Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who dumped the Democratic Party to become an independent.

The progressive Latino lawmaker will challenge Sinema if she chooses to run for a second six-year term representing the swing state.

“Today, too many Arizonans see their dream slipping away,” Gallego said. “I’m running for the U.S. Senate to win it back for you!”

The announcement sets up a possible bitter fight with Sinema, who has irked rank-and-file Democrats by siding with fellow moderate Sen. Joe Manchin to block some of the party’s priorities.

Gallego took dead aim at Sinema as a turncoat who has betrayed the Democratic base in an effort to enhance her own status as a powerful kingmaker.

“I’m better for this job than Kyrsten Sinema because I haven’t forgotten where I came from,” Gallego told the Associated Press.

“I think she clearly has forgotten where she came from.

“Instead of meeting with the people that need help, she meets with the people that are already powerful.”

Sinema has earned a reputation as an aloof figure with few allies in the party and she has rubbed elbows with GOP Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (RKy.), raising questions about her loyalty to Democrats.

Sinema did not comment on Gallego’s announcement.

After the midterms, Sinema announced that she will register as an independent but will continue to side with the Democrats in the Senate.

She could still run in a Democratic primary against Gallego or could mount an independent run in the general election, a move that could cause a potential split that would open the door for a Republican to win.

Nobody has thrown their hat in the ring for the GOP nod, although failed gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake could stake a strong claim if she runs.