WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., announced Thursday she is running for the Senate seat currently held by Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.
In a video announcing her campaign, Sinema recounts how her middle-class family fell into poverty and how she got by with help from 'family, church and, sometimes, even the government.'
'I got my shot. And now it's my duty to help others get their shot,' Sinema said. 'So when people ask why I want to serve in the United States Senate, that's easy. I want to do more for my country.'
Sinema is known as a prolific fundraiser and a report from Politico said she starts the race with more cash on hand then Flake.
However, Flake is facing a Republican primary challenge from former state Senator Kelli Ward and others and has frequently drawn the ire of President Donald Trump.
Sinema has a moderate voting record in the House, although the National Republican Senatorial Committee still called her too extreme for Arizona.
NRSC Communications Director Katie Martin claimed Sinema has more in common with the 'failed, radical leadership of Nancy Pelosi than she does with Arizonan families.'
Arizona has not voted for a Democrat for Senate since Dennis DeConcini won re-election to a third term in 1988.
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