Sinema says she would back Kennedy in race against Markey

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) said she would support Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) if he decided to run for U.S. senator.

Sinema said she is encouraging Kennedy to become a Senate candidate for the 2020 race. The moderate Democrat worked with Kennedy as a House representative. 

“Joe Kennedy is an outstanding champion for his state. I worked closely with him in the U.S. House where he has relentlessly tackled challenges facing America’s everyday families,” Sinema said in a statement provided to The Hill. “He’s a fresh thinker who can bring people together to get things done. He will make a terrific U.S. Senator and I couldn’t be more proud to support my friend.”

Politico was first to report the support.

If Kennedy, who is considering a Senate bid were to run, he’d go up against Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) in the primary.

A Suffolk University/Boston Globe survey found Kennedy leading Markey in a theoretical head-to-head.

Other Democratic lawmakers have indicated they would support Markey if pitted against Kennedy, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Politico reported.