Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) has acknowledged having a romantic relationship with a member of her security detail that began while she was a sitting senator, according to court filings reviewed by The Associated Press. The admission came in response to a lawsuit filed by her ex-wife, Blake Dain, who is seeking to void their 2018 divorce settlement.
In the legal documents, Sinema contends she should not be subject to the lawsuit, arguing that Dain's claims are without merit. The relationship with the security officer, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, reportedly started during her time in office. Sinema served in the U.S. Senate from 2019 until she did not seek re-election in 2024.
The lawsuit and Sinema's response highlight personal legal matters intersecting with her public service. There is no indication from the filings or public records that the relationship violated any specific Senate ethics rules regarding fraternization with staff, as security details are typically provided by external law enforcement agencies.
