The Daily Beast · Dec 13, 2022
Matt Grodsky, a former communications director for the Arizona Democratic Party, said party activists would likely have to vote on a measure to not contest the election—like Utah Democrats did this year, when they decided not to field a candidate and endorse independent Evan McMullin instead. Grodsky doesn’t see that happening. “They’re going to have one candidate in the field,” he said. At least.
A leading anti-Sinema group—Replace Sinema PAC, which was formerly Primary Sinema PAC—has stated they will not endorse any candidate in a Democratic primary. They are planning to continue with content focused on criticizing Sinema’s record in the new year. Spokesperson Sacha Haworth, a former Sinema staffer, said the group had its best fundraising period since the Dobbs decision came out and she reiterated her opposition to ending the Senate filibuster.
If Sinema decides to run, her path to the November 2024 election won’t be easy, even if she has effectively bypassed a primary.
Arizona law makes it difficult for independent candidates to appear on the ballot. To do so requires collecting 43,000 signatures from voters, more than six times the number a major party candidate must collect. In reality, Sinema would likely need to gather far more, given the typical rejection rate for signatures on political petitions.
“It is unprecedented to secure the amount of signatures she’d need to appear on the ballot,” said Grodsky. “She’s got money and time to do it, sure, but that’s a hell of a gamble.”
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