Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, the Arizona Democrat-turned-independent, hasn’t publicly announced whether she’s running for re-election next year. But privately, her political team has been mapping out a campaign strategy, pitching donors and potential supporters on how she can win the marquee Senate race.
In a two-page prospectus obtained by NBC News, Sinema charts out a path to victory as an independent candidate in Arizona, with a glimpse of her possible campaign message and new details about the unique cross-party coalition she would seek to build in the competitive state.
Under the banner “Kyrsten’s Path to Victory,” the document says Sinema can win by attracting 10% to 20% of Democrats, 60% to 70% of independents and 25% to 35% of Republicans.
This seems highly unlikely in the age of increased polarization. The number of independents has steadily decreased and there’s a reason why “making her the first Independent to win a three-way statewide race in American history” would be groundbreaking. It’s not like she endearing herself to either side.
Anyone have any analysis why this would be feasible? I just can’t believe someone would look at, say, the republican primary polls and think there’s 25-35% of them looking for a ‘centrist’ independent.