Kyrsten Sinema: podcast appearances and interviews

Kyrsten Lea Sinema is an American politician, lawyer, and former social worker who served as a United States senator from Arizona from 2019 to 2025. She began her political career in the Arizona Green Party, advocating for progressive causes including LGBT rights and opposition to the war on terror. In 2004, she joined the Arizona Democratic Party and was elected to multiple legislative positions, including three terms as a state representative and one as a state senator. Sinema also represented Arizona in the United States House of Representatives for three terms, beginning in 2013. During her congressional career, she became known for her involvement in various caucuses such as the New Democrat Coalition, the Blue Dog Coalition, and the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, and she was recognized for maintaining one of the most conservative voting records within the Democratic caucus. In 2018, Sinema was elected to the Senate, becoming the first openly bisexual senator and the second openly LGBTQ woman in the chamber. She also was the first woman elected to the Senate from Arizona and the only religiously unaffiliated member during her tenure. She emerged as a key swing vote during a closely divided Senate in the 117th and 118th Congresses. In December 2022, Sinema left the Democratic Party to become an independent. She announced she would not seek reelection in 2024 and was succeeded by Ruben Gallego.