Arizona Democratic Rep. Ruben Galego told CBS News Wednesday that some Democratic senators privately encouraged him to challenge Sen. Kyrsten Silena. Sinema announced last week that her departure from the Democratic Party would allow her to become an independent.

Gallego stated in an interview that “there have been some senators who have encouraged me to race.” “There are some senators that encourage me to run, including some of Sen. Sinema’s colleagues.”

Gallego didn’t identify the senators that pushed him into the Senate race. However, he believes these senators would support him if he decided to run for the Senate next year.

Gallego said that private encouragement was welcome but not a “decision factor” for whether he challenges Sinema. He said that his decision would be driven in part by conversations with family members as well as with Arizona voters over the next few weeks.

Gallego claims that some Democratic senators gave Gallego encouragement, but most aren’t open to discussing how they will handle Sinema’s next Senate campaign if she chooses to run for reelection in 2024.

These private conversations between Gallego, some Democratic senators, suggest that national Democrats may have differences over whether Sinema’s exit from the party should result in an effort to rally behind a Democratic Candidate instead. Should Sinema choose to run for the Democratic Senate nomination in 2024, she will be running as an independent candidate.

When asked if he would vote for a Democrat in Arizona in 2024, Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader from New York, said that he was focused on finishing the lame duck.

Gallego stated that he was aware of the unease some Democratic senators feel about Sinema’s upcoming reelection campaign. He said that he wouldn’t let the scattered muted or vague comments made by her colleagues stop him from considering a run.

Gallego replied Wednesday that he didn’t think so when asked by a reporter if he would talk to Schumer before deciding whether he will run in the Senate race.

Gallego stated that “[Schumer] won’t determine my future.” Gallego said, “Again it’s the people in Arizona and my family. He’s not even in a position to make decisions. He must balance the needs of his caucus. It will be too late by the time they figure it out, and how they balance Sinema’s presence while I run for office. Once I have made my decision, I will go. If he wishes, we can talk to each other at any point.

If Sinema runs as an independent in 2024, the state could be home to a competitive and unusual three-way Senate race during the next presidential-election cycle, pitting a Republican nominee, a Democratic nominee, and an independent incumbent against each other.

Gallego, who was recently on Air Force One with President Biden said that he didn’t discuss a possible Senate race with the president because it was a non-political flight.

But Gallego, who said he hopes Mr. Biden runs for reelection in 2024, said Democrats should want to have a strong Democratic Senate candidate in Arizona during a presidential-election year.

Gallego stated, “I will say this: I would like to be running for president of Arizona in 2024.” “Engaging the vital Latino vote is more important. The calculations will be revealed over time. They don’t have to be pressured. They aren’t pressuring me. They don’t know how strong a candidate I am or can be.