McSally vs. Sinema: Arizonans react to first and only Senate debate

As U.S. Senate candidates Martha McSally and Kyrsten Sinema sparred in their first and only debate, Arizonans were watching and gauging their live performances.

McSally, a two-term U.S. representative from Tucson, is locked in pitched battle with Democratic U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, who has represented a Phoenix-area congressional district for three terms.

At Even Stevens, a downtown Phoenix sandwich shop at First Avenue and Van Buren Street, a few dozen people watched at a gathering hosted by the ACLU of Arizona. 

Analise Ortiz, campaign communication strategist for ACLU Arizona, said the organization threw the watch party because it wanted to have a "lively discussion" about civil liberties issues.  

Barbara Backyard, a watch party attendee, said she is skeptical of both candidates, though she favors Sinema slightly over McSally. She wanted to hear what they had to say. 

"I would rather see some civil discourse," she said. "(Sinema) voted 61 percent with (President Donald) Trump; Martha McSally 97 percent with Trump. ... I definitely don't think Trump is for the people."

At a watch party in Kobalt, a karaoke bar at Central Avenue and Thomas Road, roughly 100 people watched and cheered for Sinema.

That event was hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, which has endorsed Sinema. The Human Rights Campaign is an LGBT civil rights organization.

David Martinez III supports Sinema and said she  "rose to the challenge" and showed what she will bring to the table.

Sinema was "cool" and collected, he said.

"She has shown she can get past partisan divide and be a voice for Arizonans," Martinez said.  

Martinez said he was surprised how much McSally embraced Trump and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was narrowly confirmed by the Senate earlier this month after allegations of sexual assault.

He also said while Sinema's answers reflect her growth as a public servant, McSally's answers did not reflect the solutions Arizona needs. 

"What we're hearing with Martha McSally is same old, same old," he said.  

Morgan Tucker, another attendee at Kobalt, said Sinema's background as a social worker showed during the debate because she is a humanitarian. Tucker was unimpressed with McSally's performance.  

"Every single answer that she is giving is almost like personally offensive to me," she said. "Especially as a woman, saying she herself was a victim of sexual abuse, I have no idea how any victim of sexual abuse could get behind (Kavanaugh)."

Another watch party was held at McSally's campaign headquarters near Camelback Road and 22nd Street.

Attendees declined to comment to The Arizona Republic.

Later, Jim Bognet, the McSally campaign's CEO, declared victory in a statement.

"Martha's command of the issues and record of getting things done for Arizona was on full display," Bognet said. "We also saw the real Kyrsten Sinema, and Arizonans learned more about Kyrsten's long record of protesting our troops, Kyrsten's pattern of mocking and denigrating Arizona, and her opposition to strong measures to secure the border.

"Arizonans saw the difference between a protester in Kyrsten Sinema, and a patriot in Martha McSally."

McSally and Sinema hope to replace retiring Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. Their race has been closely watched nationally because it could help determine whether Democrats can retake control of the Senate. 

The McSally-Sinema race is a toss-up according to political analysts, who see the GOP's hold on the seat tenuous amid an anti-Trump backlash.

Trump will visit Mesa on Friday for a rally to stump for McSally. Former President George W. Bush will hold a separate private fundraiser event for McSally the same day. 

Election Day is Nov. 6.

READ MORE:

• Arizona Republic poll: Sinema has edge over McSally in close Senate race
• Mitt Romney boosts Martha McSally: She 'has fought for American safety'
• McSally vs. Sinema: Here's how to watch the Arizona Senate candidates debate