One of the most significant rebukes yet for her vote to uphold the Senate filibuster was voted on by the Arizona Democratic Party.
The chair of the party said that the board decided to censure Sinema because of her failure to do whatever it takes to ensure the health of the democracy.
The vote took place during an executive board meeting, according to Michael Slugocki, vice chair of the Arizona Democrats.
The vote is a sign of growing tension between Sinema and her home state's party apparatus.
"I've never, ever in my time organizing in the Arizona Democratic Party, seen such a large group of Democrats upset," he said. "It's never been this high before."
In October, the ADP urged Sinema to vote with the rest of her colleagues to abolish the Senate filibuster, which allows the minority party to block unfavorable legislation. They had warned of a possible vote of no confidence if Sinema decided to uphold the filibuster.
The Democrats had hoped to pass two voting rights bills this month, but with the Republican blockade in the Senate, they were unable to do so. Sinema argued that changing Senate rules would increase partisanship in the chamber.
The Arizona Democratic Party was angry when she voted to keep the Senate filibuster intact. Their censure indicates growing frustration from state party officials with their sitting senator, and could portend trouble for Sinema as progressives clamor for a progressive to challenge her in a primary in 2024.
The congressman representing the Phoenix area is emerging as an early favorite to win the Democratic nomination for governor in two years and has left the door open to a run in a statement to the press.
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