Former Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema announced her departure from the Democratic Party in late 2025, citing concerns that the party no longer accommodated moderates like herself. Sinema, who served in the House and Senate as a Democrat before becoming an independent, made the remarks during an interview on My View with Lara Trump on Saturday.
Sinema stated that the Democratic Party had pursued short-term political gains at the expense of long-term institutional values, specifically highlighting the filibuster as a key example. She claimed the party had made it clear that moderates were no longer welcome, which she described as a factor in her decision to leave.
Sinema’s departure marks a significant shift in her political trajectory, having been first elected to Congress in 2012 as a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group known for fiscally conservative and socially moderate positions. She contrasted her earlier experience with the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which she argued represented a departure from the party’s historical principles. Sinema described the DSA’s tenets as rooted in socialism, stating they did not reflect the traditional Democratic Party.
In her remarks, Sinema emphasized that the majority of Americans reside in the political middle, identifying as either moderate or fiscally conservative. She expressed uncertainty about whether other moderates would remain in the party, calling the situation unfortunate for broader political representation.
The former senator did not specify whether she would join another political party or remain an independent, though she indicated satisfaction with her decision to leave the Democratic Party. Her comments reflect ongoing debates within the party about its ideological direction and inclusivity for members with centrist views.