Joe Biden endorses Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema for U.S. Senate

Yvonne Wingett Sanchez | The Republic | azcentral.com

Former Vice President Joe Biden is endorsing Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema’s candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

The former vice president hailed Sinema for “working past party labels to get things done for Arizona families” in a statement released to The Arizona Republic by her campaign.

Biden could appeal to moderates on both sides of the aisle who may see him as a throwback to a less divisive era.

Biden, a former senator from Delaware, also praised Sinema's work to help reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

He originally authored the 1994 act, which was reauthorized in 2013 with assurances that gays and lesbians, immigrants and Native American women would have equal access to its anti-domestic violence programs.

Biden’s statement said Sinema understands the "challenges and opportunities" of everyday Arizona families.

"I’ve seen first hand how Kyrsten gets things done for Arizona," Biden’s endorsement said.

"She was indispensable to our work to strengthen the landmark Violence Against Women Act, and brought a unique perspective of someone who has worked in communities and schools. Together, with Kyrsten, we expanded protections against domestic abuse and sexual assault."

Five years ago, we worked to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Now, we're working with @ACESDV to fully fund VAWA and protect Arizona women & families. pic.twitter.com/Gh5i5MDjty — Kyrsten Sinema (@RepSinema) June 15, 2018

With U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, the Republican incumbent, retiring the seat, the race is wide open.

Sinema, a three-term congresswoman representing a Phoenix-area district, faces a challenge from the left by Phoenix attorney and activist Deedra Abboud but is widely seen as the favorite to win the Democratic nomination.

The nominee will face the winner of the Republican primary.

Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, and former state Sen. Kelli Ward are vying for the GOP nomination.

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Recent polling by NBC-Marist put Sinema ahead of each of those potential GOP rivals in head-to-head matches in one of the nation's most closely watched races that could flip the chamber Democratic.

In his endorsement, Biden praised Sinema’s work on veterans healthcare issues and her “commitment’ to keep the U.S. “secure.”

“She has the rare ability to cut through the political games and work across the aisle to get things done,” his statement said.

This is the second time this summer that Biden has made a mark on Arizona politics.

In April, he visited U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at his family's ranch near Sedona. The two men are longtime friends.

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