Sinema's switch

Plus: The latest from SCOTUS and the Jan. 6 panel [View this email online]( [NPR Politics]( You count on this newsletter to bring you the biggest stories every day. Now we’re counting on you — your donation keeps the NPR Network's independent news and programming vibrant. [Donate today](. Dec. 10, 2022 This week, we looked at Sinema's switch, Griner's return and a win for Democrats in Georgia. Plus, the latest from SCOTUS and the Jan. 6 panel. --------------------------------------------------------------- The Big Picture: Indie Sinema Alex Brandon/AP Being “independent” has always been crucial to Kyrsten Sinema’s brand. The formerly Democratic Arizona senator stood in the way or watered down some key Democratic legislation, despite her 93% voting record with the party. The Arizona Democratic Party even censured her for her opposition to changing the filibuster. Sinema has used her independent streak as a way to appeal to moderate voters and Republicans back home. That’s important in a state where more than a third of voters identify as “other” and Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 166,000. But [Sinema’s move Friday to renounce her Democratic registration]( (but not switch to the GOP) – even though it’s Republicans who have become far more conservative than Democrats have become liberal – might not be the political winner she hopes it will be. It may, in fact, make it easier for a Republican to win the seat in 2024 with a mere plurality if Democrats field a candidate, because Sinema would likely pull more from the Democratic candidate. Progressives have been clamoring for a candidate to challenge Sinema, so it seems unlikely a Democrat wouldn’t run. Sure, Sinema would now bypass such a challenge, but given her unpopularity among Arizonans, it’s going to be a tough test for her to try and win outright – and not hand the seat to Republicans, if she does decide to run. — [Domenico Montanaro]( NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- ICYMI: Top Stories Matthew Pearson/WABE A win for Democrats in Georgia: Practically speaking, Sinema's deregistration won’t change much on Capitol Hill. [Because incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock won his runoff election]( on Tuesday, Democrats still have firm control of the chamber. Brittney Griner freed: WNBA star Brittney Griner was [freed this week from a Russian prison]( after a U.S.-Russia prisoner swap. The U.S. sent convicted arms [dealer Viktor Bout to Russia](. Supreme Court latest: The Supreme Court heard arguments this week in two major cases. The first saw the court hear more than two hours of arguments on a constitutional test of state public accommodations laws that [protect same-sex couples from discrimination](. Later in the week, the justices considered a case that [could radically reshape the way federal elections are conducted]( across the country. Jan. 6 committee latest: The House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection is [nearing the release of its final report](. The committee plans to release the document and hold a “formal presentation” the week of Dec. 19. Iowa caucuses: The Democratic Party is moving towards a major reshuffling of its primary calendar that will see Iowa removed from its beginning-of-the-pack position. But [for Republicans, Iowa remains at the top,]( and several possible 2024 candidates have already visited the state. SCOTUS influence: A former leader of an evangelical nonprofit told Congress that [right-wing Christian activists sought to work their way into the social circles of conservative-leaning Supreme Court justices]( in an effort to "embolden" the justices to advance their policy agenda. "I believe we pushed the boundaries of Christian ethics and compromised the high court's promise to administer equal justice,” Rev. Rob Schenck testified. — [Brandon Carter]( NPR Politics social media producer --------------------------------------------------------------- The Shot: Spotlight on the Castro Theater Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images San Francisco's Castro Theater, with its baroque facade and iconic sign and marquee, has been a fixture in one of the country's most high-profile LGBTQ neighborhoods since 1922. The Castro has long hosted queer cinema and community events -- including the 2008 premiere screening of Milk, about the first openly gay politician Harvey Milk -- as well as big film festivals like the San Francisco International Film Festival. The theater's lease was recently taken over by an entertainment company that operates mostly music-oriented venues and festivals around the San Francisco Bay Area -- [and that has led to a struggle for its future.]( — [Heidi Glenn]( NPR Politics digital editor --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [nprpolitics@npr.org](mailto:nprpolitics@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! [They can sign up here.]( Looking for more great content? 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