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Sinema Talks Immigration Reform, Job Creation in Yuma

Victor Calderón
U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, who is running for the U.S. Senate, greets community health leaders and employees of J.V. Smith Companies in Yuma on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018.

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema is running for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by outgoing Sen. Jeff Flake. Sinema faces Republican Martha McSally on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.

With just two weeks left to campaign, Sinema is looking to distinguish herself from her Republican opponent, especially on issues around comprehensive immigration reform and health care.

Sinema spoke to KAWC in Yuma Tuesday on topics including her message to voters and whether she will consider opening a Yuma Senate office if elected.

She said Arizonans have been dealing with Congress' failure to address immigration reform for 30 years.

"What we've seen so far is leaders and those interested in partisan politics who actually ignore solving the problem in favor of their partisan talking points," Sinema said. "What I've done is work with a bipartisan group to provide real solutions and that's what I'll continue to do in the U.S. Senate."

Sinema said she disagreed with McSally's remarks in a recent debate that the state economy was strong. Sinema said that is not the case in rural Arizona including Yuma, where the unemployment rate is just under 20 percent.

"Here in Yuma County... it is undeniable that we have got to do more to make sure that we're getting good jobs for Arizona families," Sinema said. "We've got to invest in education and infrastructure to create the opportunity for these jobs to come and build strong communities in places like Yuma. "

Victor is originally from West Sacramento, California and has lived in Arizona for more than five years. He began his print journalism career in 2004 following his graduation from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Victor has been a reporter for the following daily newspapers: The Monterey County Herald, The Salinas Californian and the Reno Gazette-Journal, where he covered stories including agriculture, education and Latino community news. Victor has also served as a local editor for Patch, a national news organization with hyperlocal websites, in Carmichael, California in the Sacramento area. He also served as the editor for The New Vision, the newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, which includes Yuma and La Paz counties. Victor lives in Somerton. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and following most sports.
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