Arizona's Democratic Senate candidate, Rep. Krysten Sinema, wouldn't describe herself as a "proud" Democrat on Wednesday.
Sinema was asked on Arizona radio station KTAR if she was "proud" to be a Democrat.
"Gosh, it's hard to say proud," Sinem said. "I don't know that -- I'm not sure that people are even proud of parties anymore, because I feel like the parties are not doing a good job. So I would say that I'm a proud Arizonan."
Sinema's comments, which were first flagged by CNN, differ from past comments where she disparaged her state. In recent weeks, footage has emerged from numerous events like a Texas Democratic event in 2011 where she repeatedly mocked her home state of Arizona for being "crazy." While speaking at a Washington, D.C. event this past March, she acted disgusted by the fact she's run for office in the state.
The Arizona Democrat said she's more "proud" of the work she's done throughout her career as an elected official.
"That's something I'm very proud of. And I'm proud of the work that I have done in Washington, D.C., and the work I've done in the state Senate and the statehouse before going to Congress. But I'm not particularly proud of the parties," Sinema added on Wednesday.
One of the radio hosts noted Sinema doesn't mention that she is a Democrat in many of her campaign ads and asked if that was intentional.
"That's right," Sinema said. "Because I am an independent voice for Arizona and I want folks to– When they see my ads or hear from me or when I'm talking to them and listening to them, I want them to think about who I am as their elected official and as their public servant."
Sinema is running against Rep. Martha McSally (R., Ariz.) to replace retiring Sen. Jeff Flake (R., Ariz.). Polls have shown the race as neck and neck, with the most recent polls showing McSally with a slight lead.