US Democratic senator switches to independent status

While it is unusual for a sitting senator to switch party affiliation, the move appears to hold more impact on Ms Sinema’s own political brand than the operations of the senate

Kyrsten Sinema (AP)

Democratic senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona has announced that she is now registered as an independent – but she does not plan to caucus with Republicans, ensuring Democrats will retain their narrow voting majority in the US senate.

Ms Sinema has modelled her political approach on the renegade style of the late Republican senator John McCain of Arizona, and has frustrated Democratic colleagues at times with her overtures to Republicans and opposition to Democratic priorities.