Topline
Sen. Kyrsten Silena (D-Ariz.), was bombarded this weekend by progressive activists in Arizona. This followed growing frustrations among her party members over her opposition to an economic agenda widely supported by her colleagues.
WASHINGTON DC - September 30: Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), board an...[+] elevator following a private meeting on Capitol Hill on Thursday Sept. 30, 2021. (Photo by Jabin botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images). The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Key Facts
Video footage posted by progressive group Living United For Change in Arizona shows activists chanting outside a Phoenix fundraising event on Friday, and following Sinema around Arizona State University campus, including to the bathroom on Saturday. Protesters shouted for Sinema's support of the Build Back Better Act. This $3.5 trillion bill would fund social programs such as Medicare and Child Tax Credit. Sinema has tried to reduce these funds. After multiple immigration provisions were rejected by the Senate, Sinema was asked to support a pathway for undocumented immigrants to citizenship in the package. Sinema has been criticized by activists and colleagues, including progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who complained that Sinema's lack of clear public demands and unwillingness to talk to the media make it difficult for her to negotiate with them. Forbes reached out to Sinemas for comment.
Important Background
In recent weeks, activists have increased their appeals for Sinema (D-W.Va.), and Sen. Joe Manchin (D.W.Va.), to Sinema. Greenpeace and members of progressive West Virginia groups staged flotilla demonstrations in front of Sen. Joe Manchin's Washington, D.C. houseboat last week. They even managed to get him to engage briefly with them on Thursday.
Big Number
30% This is the percentage of Democrats who said that Sinema was unfavorable in a poll of 882 Arizona voters by OH Predictive Insights. It was released last week. Despite Sinemas 46% favorable rating among all poll voters, 11% of Democrats said that they view Senator Mark Kelly (D. Arizona) unfavorably.
What to Watch
Arizona progressives are trying to draft Sinema's primary challenger. The Latino-focused Neustro PAC wants to win Rep. Ruben Galego (D-Ariz.), while CrowdPAC has raised almost $50,000 to fund a primary opponent to Sinema.
