前参议员克斯滕·西内玛（I-亚利桑那州）已告诉亚利桑那州的商界和政界领袖，她选择在共和党初选中投票 — — 投给众议院候选人杰伊·菲利，Axios获悉。
Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) has told business and political leaders in Arizona that she chose to vote in the Republican primary — for House candidate Jay Feely, Axios has learned.
为何重要：西内玛不到四年前还是民主党人。如今她正悄悄推动一名共和党人，而此时共和党正处于守势。
Why it matters: Sinema was a Democrat less than four years ago. Now she's quietly promoting a Republican during a cycle when the GOP is on the defensive.
西内玛在亚利桑那州仍有影响力。她居住并投票于全州最具竞争力的众议院选区之一 — — AZ-01，本轮为空缺席位。
Sinema still has sway in Arizona. And she lives and votes in one of the most competitive House districts — AZ-01, an open seat this cycle.
细看：过去一个月中，西内玛在多场非正式会晤中告诉人们，她已经认识菲利及其妻子并喜欢他，形容他为“务实”和“财政保守派”，两位当时在场的消息人士向Axios透露了此事。
Zoom in: In multiple casual meetings over the past month, Sinema has told people she has gotten to know Feely and his wife and likes him, describing him as "commonsense" and a "fiscal conservative," two sources who were present when Sinema made the comments told Axios.
西内玛表示，她认为菲利是帮助应对亚利桑那州水危机的最佳人选，包括削减该州在科罗拉多河中的份额，一位消息人士称。
Sinema has indicated she sees Feely as the best person to help handle Arizona's water crisis, including cutbacks to the state's share of the Colorado River, one source said.
西内玛还在这些谈话中讨论了她参加共和党初选的决定 — — 并表示她很可能在11月也会投他的票。
Sinema has also discussed her decision to vote in the GOP primary in these conversations —and indicated she is likely to vote for him in November as well.
这些谈话发生在过去一个月，对象是商界和政界领袖及盟友的小群体。
These were casual conversations over the past month with groups of business and political leaders and allies.
全局看：菲利如今获得了一名前民选民主党人 — — 以及特朗普总统的支持。
Zoom out: Feely now has the backing of a former elected Democrat — and President Trump.
前NFL踢球手菲利正在竞选该席位，对手是前州众议员阿米什·沙赫（D），该席位由众议员大卫·施韦克特（R-亚利桑那州）让出。
A former NFL kicker, Feely is running against former state Rep. Amish Shah (D) to fill the seat being vacated by Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.).
沙赫曾因效仿西内玛、表现出愿意在立法机构反抗民主党领导层而受到批评。
Shah has been criticized for being like Sinema for showing willingness to buck Democratic leadership in the legislature.
亚利桑那州第一选区向来竞争激烈。目前，库克政治报告将其评为“倾向民主党”。
Arizona's 1 District has long been competitive. It is currently rated as "lean Democrat" by Cook Political Report.