Kyrsten Sinema says food bank event not about politics while showcasing veteran support

Rep. Kyrsten Sinema spent Friday morning packaging food at a north Phoenix food bank, joined by about 10 military veterans.

The Democratic congresswoman and candidate for U.S. Senate, insisted the event wasn't about politics.

But the implied message for the Sinema campaign, which is squaring off against Republican and former fighter pilot Martha McSally, was clear: Sinema may not have served in the military, but she knows veterans issues.

Several veterans at the event said Sinema's efforts to resolve the crisis at the Phoenix VA Health Care System and her ability to bring together veterans with different points of view had attracted them to her campaign.

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Terry Araman is an Army veteran who operates a transitional living shelter for veterans called MANA House — which stands for Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force. Speaking to a reporter while he packaged "snack packs" that the Desert Mission Food Bank distributes to schools, libraries and community centers, Araman said Sinema has been at the forefront of local veterans issues.

"She was the first one to bring all the non-profits and the VA together off-site and have veterans who were having trouble getting benefits, or having trouble accessing their benefits and so forth, and bring all those folks together," Araman said.

The volunteers, including Sinema, formed an assembly line of sorts: Each grabbed clear plastic bags and moved along milk crates filled with food, putting one of each item in the bag until they were filled with canned fruits and vegetables, fruit juice, cereal and oatmeal. They dropped each bag on a table where Tom Solnit, a Marine Corps vet, closed them.

Sinema's previous work as a social worker in the mid-1990s prompted the food bank to develop the snack packs to help students who don't have access to school-provided snacks over the weekend.

"Kyrsten was one of the social workers at Washington Elementary that saw kids were hoarding food Monday and Fridays," Sue Sadecki, the executive director of HonorHealth Desert Mission, said.

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Solnit mentioned Sinema's work with homeless veterans, her response to the Phoenix VA scandal and support for legislation benefiting veterans, including protecting military service dogs.

"She stands for honor and dignity, and she listens to everybody and then makes the best decision," Solnit said.

In a written statement, Sinema said: “I come from a military family, so fulfilling our commitment to Arizona veterans is personal for me and it has always been my highest priority. I’m honored that so many veterans are supporting my campaign and I’ll never stop fighting to improve veterans’ health care, ensure veterans have access to quality education and good-paying jobs, and bring accountability and transparency to the VA.”

Veterans said they respect McSally, but added that she does not get into the "nitty-gritty" issues for veterans and has a "narrow" focus.

"We lost a great policy person on behalf of veterans when we lost John McCain, and we need that support in the Senate," Araman said. "I know I can trust Kyrsten Sinema to carry on that legacy."

"I've been around Martha McSally, I've talked to her, she goes with the current administration and what they want to do," Solnit said. "She does say a lot, and actions speak louder than words."

Leo Hintz, an Air Force veteran and Levine resident, one of the first volunteers to arrive at the food bank, related the "well organized" service project to his time in the military.

Hintz began volunteering with Sinema's campaign after seeing one of her television ads with her brother who is in the military. He said that he is proud of McSally's years of service and being the first female fighter pilot, but he campaigns for Sinema.

"I just feel that Kyrsten will do more for the veterans than a vet," Hintz said.

Sinema dodged questions about President Donald Trump's visit to the Valley to campaign for McSally, as well as McSally's allegation that Sinema's response in a 2003 interview amounts to treason.

Sinema told reporters her campaign will stay focused on Arizonans, not Trump's visit. By noon, the volunteers were more than halfway to their goal of assembling 400 snack bags.

"Well today, we're here focused on this issue, taking care of Arizona families and giving back to our communities," Sinema said.

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