Arizona Has First Democratic Senator Since 1994

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema won Arizona's open US Senate seat Monday in a race that was among the most closely watched in the nation, beating Republican Rep. Martha McSally in the battle to replace GOP Sen. Jeff Flake. The three-term House lawmaker won after a slow vote count that dragged on for nearly a week after voters went to the polls on Nov. 6. She becomes Arizona's first Democratic US senator since 1994. Her win cemented Arizona as a swing state after years of Republican dominance, the AP reports. Sinema portrayed herself as a moderate who works across the aisle to get things done. Sinema first came to prominence as an openly bisexual Green Party activist in Phoenix.

Sinema and supporters rushed to a Scottsdale resort Monday night after the latest batch of ballots showed her lead to be insurmountable. "Arizona rejected what has been far too common in our country—name calling, petty, personal attacks, and doing and saying what it takes to get elected," Sinema said. "But Arizona proved that there is a better way forward." McSally tweeted a video message. "I just called Kyrsten Sinema and congratulated her on becoming Arizona's first female senator after a hard-fought battle," McSally said. "I wish her all success as she represents Arizona in the Senate." (President Trump wants the Florida recount to be scrapped.)