Scroll To Top
Politics

Kyrsten Sinema Calls for Bridging Divides in Victory Speech

Kyrsten Sinema

The U.S. senator-elect from Arizona also paid tribute to a predecessor, the late John McCain.

trudestress

Support The Advocate
LGBTQ+ stories are more important than ever. Join us in fighting for our future. Support our journalism.

In her victory speech Monday after being declared the winner of a U.S. Senate seat from Arizona, Kyrsten Sinema called for bridging divides and coming together, and gave a tribute to the state's late Sen. John McCain.

"We can work with people who are different than us. ... We can embrace difference while seeking common ground," said Sinema, a Democrat who will be the first out bisexual U.S. senator and the first woman elected to the chamber from Arizona. She is the second member of the LGBTQ community to be elected to the body, after lesbian Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, who was reelected this year. Sinema will succeed Jeff Flake, a Republican, who did not seek reelection.

(RELATED: Kyrsten Sinema: Smart, Funny, Bi and Running for Senate)

She and her opponent, Republican Martha McSally, both ran "because we want what's best for Arizona and our country," she said, but they offered different visions. In choosing her, Sinema said, Arizonans rejected "fear and party politics" and chose someone who would work across party lines to serve the interests of the state.

In her shout-out to McCain, who died in August, Sinema said he is "irreplaceable," but he left an example to be followed, as he "always put country ahead of party."

Trending stories

Watch the full speech below.

Recommended Stories for You

trudestress
The Advocates with Sonia BaghdadyOut / Advocate Magazine - Alan Cumming and Jake Shears

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories