Kyrsten Sinema Victorious in Arizona House Race; Becomes 1st Openly Bisexual Member of Congress

Former Democratic state senator Kyrsten Sinema has officially won her Arizona congressional race, the AP reports:

Sinema had a narrow lead on election night that made the race too close to call. But she slowly improved that advantage as more ballots were tallied in recent days, and now has a nearly 6,000-vote edge that is too much for Republican Vernon Parker to overcome.

Parker, who took the national stage briefly in September when he gave the GOP weekly address, was criticized by Democrats as a tea party radical who would hurt children by cutting the federal education department.

Sinema is the first openly bisexual member of Congress.

Kyrsten Sinema Leads in Arizona Congressional Race; Would Be First Bisexual Member of Congress

With 98% of precincts reporting Kyrsten Sinema (47%) led her Republican opponent Vernon Parker (46%) by a single percentage point in the race for Congressional District 9 in Arizona. Sinema would be the first bisexual member of Congress if elected.

AZ Central reports:

Sinema, a former state lawmaker, was eking out a small margin over Parker, a former Paradise Valley mayor, in the 9th District. Independents make up much of the new district, added during redistricting to reflect Arizona’s population gains. Voters there have swung between Republicans and Democrats in past elections.

The battle between Sinema, 36, and Parker, 52, was no-holds-barred.

She accused Parker of hewing to the “tea party” line during the primary. She knocked his positions on abortion and education and his opposition to raising taxes on the wealthy. Sinema’s campaign criticized Parker for his support of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and for interviews in which he stumbled, for instance, not being able to name hospitals in the district.

Watch Sinema address the crowd last night, AFTER THE JUMP...

Arizona Candidate Kyrsten Sinema Would Be First Out Bisexual Congressperson in Nation's History: VIDEO

Current's John Fugelsang asks Arizona Democratic Congressional candidate Kyrsten Sinema, who would be the first out bisexual member of Congress in the nation's history if elected,  "Do you think that bisexual Americans have an equal place in the gay rights movement?"

Says Sinema: “I believe that all people have an equal place everywhere in this country, regardless of what movement you’re in or what community you live in. Every single one of us is equal in this country. That’s the beauty of the American dream. I believe we all have a place.”

Sinema would much rather focus on issues than her sexuality, however.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...