Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema Retires: How Will It Affect the 2024 Election?
Kyrsten Sinema retires, leaving key Arizona Senate seat open and potentially shifting control. Understand the impact on national politics and future agendas.
Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema announced on March 5 that she won't run for re-election, putting an important Senate seat up for grabs in a key state. Her decision is big news because it could change which party controls the Senate. Given Arizona's status as a purple state—equally open to Democratic or Republican candidates—Sinema's exit adds significant weight to the upcoming race, affecting not just state politics but the national political landscape as well. The outcome could influence major legislative agendas and Supreme Court nominations, underscoring the race's national importance. These developments raise important questions about shifts in party affiliation, the challenges of bipartisanship, and how public opinion and political strategy might shape the upcoming election. Watch the video below from CBS News, and then explore the issues through discussion questions and media literacy exercises.
Discussion Questions
- Congress' Balance of Power: How could Sen. Sinema’s decision not to run again change who has control in Congress?
- Arizona's Senate Race: How could her decision affect the outcome of the race?
- Changing Parties: Sinema switched from being a Democrat to an Independent. What does this tell us about how people look at political parties today?
- Compromise in Politics: Sinema said, “It's bad to compromise in politics now.” What does this mean for making laws together in the Senate?
- Future Political Trends: With some middle-ground politicians like Sinema, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) leaving, what might happen next in politics, especially for those who try to work in the middle?
Focus Questions
- Evaluating Sources: The information about Sinema's retirement came from a CBS News congressional informant. How does the source of this news influence your perception of its accuracy and bias?
- Analyzing the Message: In her video explaining her decision, Sinema states that "it's not what America wants right now." How do you think the medium of video, as opposed to a written statement, affects the message's reception among viewers, especially young voters?
Extension Activity: Media Analysis and Bias
This project tasks students with analyzing how different news outlets report on Sinema's retirement and the upcoming Senate race in Arizona, highlighting the role media plays in shaping public perception.
Instructions
- Selection Phase: Students will select two to three news articles from different political spectrums (left-leaning, right-leaning and outlets that attempt to find the middle ground) that cover Sinema's announcement and its potential impact on the Senate race.
- Analysis: Students will analyze the articles to identify any biases, differences in language, and the aspects each article emphasizes or downplays. Students should consider why these differences exist and how they might influence a reader's opinion.
- Reflection and Discussion: Students will write a brief report or prepare a presentation on their findings, reflecting on the role of media in politics and how media literacy is essential for informed voting. They will share their findings in a class discussion, comparing observations with their peers.
Andy Kratochvil is an SML team member who loves hiking, video games, scary books, Mexican food, and finding great content for the Share My Lesson community.He studied political science and French at California State University, Fullerton and received his Master’s in International Affairs from Americ
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