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Kyrsten Sinema

Kyrsten Sinema is an American politician and lawyer who represented Arizona in the U.S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kyrsten Sinema is an American politician and lawyer who represented Arizona in the U.S. Senate from 2019 to 2025. She previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2019 and became an independent in 2022 after most of her career as a Democrat.

Early life and education

Sinema was born in Tucson, Arizona, on July 12, 1976. She studied at Brigham Young University and Arizona State University, where sources identify degrees in social work, law, and justice studies.

Political career

Sinema served in the Arizona legislature before being elected to the U.S. House in 2012 and the U.S. Senate in 2018. Her Senate term ran from 2019 to 2025.

Party affiliation

Sinema was a Democrat for most of her federal career but became an independent in December 2022. Congressional records list her as independent from 2023 to 2025.

Notable historical firsts

Sinema was the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Arizona and the first openly bisexual member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Key facts

  • Kyrsten Sinema served as a U.S. senator from Arizona from 2019 to 2025.
  • She was first elected to the U.S. House in 2012 and served until 2019.
  • Sinema changed her party affiliation from Democrat to independent in December 2022.
  • She was the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Arizona.
  • She was the first openly bisexual member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Canadian context

No direct Canada-specific connection is established in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Kyrsten Sinema?
Kyrsten Sinema is an American politician and lawyer who served as a U.S. senator from Arizona from 2019 to 2025.
What party was Kyrsten Sinema in?
She was a Democrat for most of her career and became an independent in December 2022.
What offices did Kyrsten Sinema hold?
She served in the Arizona legislature, the U.S. House of Representatives, and later the U.S. Senate.
Was Kyrsten Sinema the first woman elected senator from Arizona?
Yes. She was the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Arizona.
Was Kyrsten Sinema openly bisexual?
Yes. She was the first openly bisexual member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrsten_Sinema
    Supports: Birth date, career overview, Senate and House service, party change
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kyrsten-Sinema
    Supports: Birthplace, Senate service, first woman elected senator from Arizona, first openly bisexual House member, party change
  3. Congress.gov — https://www.congress.gov/member/kyrsten-sinema/S001191
    Supports: Official congressional service dates and party history
  4. Archives of Women's Political Communication — https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/directory/kyrsten-sinema
    Supports: Education and career chronology
  5. Government Publishing Office — https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CDIR-2022-10-26/html/CDIR-2022-10-26-AZ-S-1.htm
    Supports: Official biographical and committee information