Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) is standing by his ex-Democratic colleague Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) despite reports the Arizona senator has made harsh criticisms about him in private conversations with GOP allies.
“Well, we’re friends,” Manchin told reporters on Thursday.
EX-DEMOCRAT KYRSTEN SINEMA BELITTLES FORMER COLLEAGUES IN PRIVATE AS SHE COURTS REELECTION
When asked if her comments may give insight into whether Sinema will run as a Republican in 2024, Manchin said he didn’t know — but that he would support “whatever she does.”
The comments come after it was reported that Sinema has made a habit of bashing Democratic lawmakers in private conversations with her Republican allies, using her newly found freedom as an independent to distance herself from her former colleagues. Sinema has frequently lamented how people “often assume” she and Manchin are “the same person” due to the pair’s reputation as holdout votes for the Democratic Party.
Instead, Sinema emphasizes she has “better tax policy ideas” than her West Virginia colleague, who often sides with Democrats when it comes to proposals to increase taxes for the wealthy.
Sinema has also harshly criticized other Democratic leaders such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for their policy stances. That criticism extends beyond the walls of Congress to include President Joe Biden and top members of his Cabinet.
The shift in attitude has sparked hope in some Republicans that Sinema can be convinced to caucus with the GOP or at least back some of their proposed legislation in the split Senate. However, it may not be enough to keep Republican challengers at bay as she considers a second term in 2024.
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Sinema has emerged as one of the best fundraisers in the Senate, leading the pack alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in year-end campaign fundraising reports in 2022. Sinema raised more than $803,000 last year, ending 2022 with $8.2 million cash on hand, according to the Federal Election Commission.
However, the Arizona senator is considered a somewhat vulnerable incumbent heading into the next election cycle, especially after she left the Democratic Party and opened herself up to challenges from both sides of the aisle.