Kyrsten Sinema goes independent days after Democrats secure Senate majority

The US senator Kyrsten Sinema has switched her political affiliation to independent, leaving the Democratic party just days after it won a Senate race in Georgia to secure a 51st seat in the chamber.

In a separate Politico interview published on Friday, Sinema said she would not caucus with the Republican party. If that holds, Democrats could still maintain greater governing control in the closely divided chamber.

Sinema said her shift came as a growing number of people in her state were also declaring themselves politically independent, rejecting the Republican and Democratic political labels.

Sinema intends to maintain her committee assignments from the Democrats, an aide told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The aide would not say whether or not Sinema would continue to caucus with Democrats.

The senator herself, however, said she would not caucus with the Republican party, according to an interview published by Politico on Friday.

If that holds, Democrats could still maintain greater governing control in the closely divided chamber.

Sinema and the Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia have kept Washington in suspense over the last two years as they repeatedly have withheld their needed votes for legislative initiatives sought by Joe Biden.

At the same time, they have worked in a bipartisan way on high-profile bills that have become law, while forcing compromise.

Sinema was realistic on Friday about the fact that she will get criticism from Democrats for her shock news.

The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, issued a statement noting that the Democrats will continue to control the Senate.

The Pact Act was designed to improve healthcare access and funding for military veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their service.

She was unpopular enough with Democrats in the state that she was widely expected to face a primary in 2024.