Kyrsten Sinema sparks debate with ‘Grammy-worthy’ dress at State of the Union

Sen Kyrsten Sinema, now an Independent, is facing a complicated path to re-election next year

Sen Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who recently left the Democratic Party and is facing a daunting path to re-election, again turned heads with her appearance at the State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

Ms Sinema wore a striking yellow dress to the event and was photographed joking with Sen Mitt Romney and standing to applaud a line from President Joe Biden. The speech was Ms Sinema’s first State of the Union since leaving the Democratic Party at the start of the year.

The frock drew mixed reactions on social media, with many users remarking that she confused the event with the Grammy Awards earlier this week.

More intense critics drew comparisons between the bright yellow look and cartoon characters, including Big Bird from Sesame Street and the yellow Teletubby.

Others lumped Ms Sinema in with Republican Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was compared to Cruella De Vil in a white coat with a dramatic fur collar.

A small group, however, lauded the bold fashion choice.

Ms Sinema made headlines in January with her announcement that she was becoming an Independent — a decision that some observers viewed as a concession that she would struggle to win a Democratic primary next year against Rep Ruben Gallego.

Ms Sinema was one of the most conservative Democratic members of the Senate during Mr Biden’s first two years in office when she, along with Sen Joe Manchin of West Virginia, declined to change the filibuster rules and blocked much of the party and president’s agenda.

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Ms Sinema first began making headlines when she enthusiastically voted against a $15 minimum wage by giving a thumbs down gesture on the floor of the Senate while wearing a shoulder bag.

Ms Sinema’s office protested then that the media and other observers would not comment on the stylistic and clothing choices of a man in her position, an argument that has drawn derision from observers who view her stylistic choices as performance pieces that often contain specific messages.

Republicans have courted Ms Sinema, angling for her to join their party, while Democrats have thus far remained noncommittal on whether they will support Ms Sinema — who has kept her committee assignments with the party — or Mr Gallego in 2024.