Eyes on 2024: Democrats weigh Sinema's decision to leave party

Democrats both in Washington D.C. and Arizona spent the weekend processing Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s decision to leave the party and register as an independent.

Among progressives (and potential Sinema challengers from the left), the decision was blasted as proof she didn’t care about the party — outgoing Arizona Democratic Party vice-chairman Michael Slugocki said he’s “shockingly disappointed at how awful she continues to be.” And Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders said he doesn’t expect Democrats to stand behind someone “who helped sabotage some of the most important legislation that protects the interests of working families and voting rights.” 

But among those Democrats who don’t want to ostracize her ahead of next Senate term, or who may need to tout their own independence ahead of the 2024 election cycle, the response was far more muted.

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The Biden White House’s statement called her a “key partner” that they expect to continue to work with. And on Sunday’s Meet the Press, Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, who is up for re-election in 2024, downplayed her decision by saying: “I was surprised she made the change, but functionally, I don’t think it changes a thing.”

In other 2024 news:

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation spotlights stringent New York state laws that have long drawn criticism

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDecades-old march dispute reignites in Northern Ireland, threatening political crisis

A bright spot out West for Democrats: NBC News’ Natasha Korecki reports that while Republicans have made some inroads with Latino voters over the years, Democrats are performing well with Latinos in states like Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado, where they’ve become a durable part of the party’s coalition.  

Tar Heel tension: After another disappointment for Democrats in North Carolina, the state Democratic Party’s executive director is stepping aside (she says the decision was made before the election) and some Democrats are calling for big changes in the hopes of turning the tide in 2024, according to WRAL.

A growing field in Indiana: Four Republicans could be running to succeed Indiana GOP Gov. Eric Holcolmb, who is term-limited, Politico reports. This comes as Indiana GOP Sen. Mike Braun and the state’s GOP Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch are both expected to announce their campaigns for the job today. Fort Wayne businessperson Eric Doden has already announced his campaign, and the state’s Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers is expected to jump into the race as well.