Rep. Kyrsten Sinema released an announcement video on Thursday afternoon, making her Flake's first Democratic challenger. | Matt York, File/AP Photo Democratic Rep. Sinema launches Arizona senate bid

Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema is running for Senate against Arizona GOP Sen. Jeff Flake, setting up a marquee race between a former progressive-turned-centrist Democrat and one of President Donald Trump's harshest Republican critics.

Sinema released an announcement video on Thursday afternoon, making her Flake's first Democratic challenger. State Rep. Randy Friese, a trauma surgeon who treated former Rep. Gabby Giffords, was also considering a Democratic bid. Flake is facing a primary challenge from former state Sen. Kelli Ward and other Republicans are eyeing his seat.


"I owe a large debt to my country," Sinema says in the video, outlining how her middle-class family fell into poverty and how she climbed out of it with help from the government, her church, her teachers and her family. "I got my shot. And now it's my duty to help others get their shot. 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, who started college at age 16, and has a law degree, a master's in social work and a doctorate, first ran for office as an independent affiliated with the Green Party. But in Congress, she joined the centrist Blue Dogs and carved out a moderate voting record. She was Democrats' top recruit for the seat after passing on a run against Sen. John McCain in 2016.

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Senate Majority PAC, which is controlled by allies of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, has already released polling showing Sinema with a lead over Flake.

Flake has earned the ire of conservatives and the president himself because of his frequent criticisms of Trump, and Trump has frequently mused about defeating him in a primary.

Sinema starts the race with more cash on hand then Flake. At the end of the second quarter, she had $3.2 million on hand. Flake had roughly $3 million in the bank.

