WASHINGTON — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be the special guest at a fundraiser for Democratic Rep. Rubén Gallego as he campaigns for the Arizona Senate seat held by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, according to an invitation Obtained by NBC News.
Pelosi’s presence at the fundraiser, which will take place virtually on Thursday night, is notable; Pelosi, a Democrat from California, has not formally endorsed Gallego and rarely gets involved in Democrat-versus-Democrat matchups.
But Sinema left the Democratic Party and officially registered as an independent late last year, just days after Democrats achieved a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate. Sinema has not said whether he will run for re-election in 2024.
Gallego, a four-term congressman and retired Marine, has been highly critical of Sinema and announced a run for her seat in January. His office did not respond to a request for comment about the Pelosi fundraiser.
Pelosi hasn’t intervened in many 2024 races thus far. In an unusual move, he endorsed Rep. Adam Schiff in the open California Democratic primary in February to succeed outgoing Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
Pelosi’s office did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday’s fundraiser.
The Arizona Senate race is one of several that will determine which party controls the Senate in 2024. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., and the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, which traditionally backs incumbents, they have yet to endorse a contest. they see it as essential to maintain control of the camera.
If Sinema chooses to run again, it could turn into a three-way race with Republicans likely to field a nominee, worrying some Democrats that Sinema and Gallego could end up fracturing the party base.
As a House member and senator, Sinema has repeatedly clashed with the Democratic leadership. He twice voted against keeping Pelosi as House party leader in 2015 and 2016, though Gallego joined her in opposing Pelosi in 2016.
Sinema has also repeatedly clashed with the Democratic leadership in the Senate, breaking with the party on key elements of his agenda, including opposition to raising tax rates on corporations and individuals in the Build Back Better infrastructure plan, his opposition to weaken the Senate’s 60 vote. to pass a federal voting rights law and voted against raising the minimum wage.
Gallego has not held back in his criticism of Sinema’s record as she touts her progressive credentials over the years, accusing her at her campaign launch of breaking promises and fighting “for the interests of Big Pharma and Wall Street at our expense.” .
Still, Sinema has acted as a negotiator on recent bipartisan legislation, including the debt-ceiling deal that both houses of Congress passed this month.
