Washington DC - Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has announced she is leaving the Democratic Party to register as a political independent.

"I’ve registered as an Arizona independent. I know some people might be a little bit surprised by this, but actually, I think it makes a lot of sense," Sinema said in an exclusive interview with CNN's Jake Tapper on Thursday.

"I’ve never fit neatly into any party box. I’ve never really tried. I don’t want to," she continued. "Removing myself from the partisan structure – not only is it true to who I am and how I operate, I also think it’ll provide a place of belonging for many folks across the state and the country, who also are tired of the partisanship."

Sinema has angered other members of the Democratic Party and Americans across the nation by failing to get on board with federal voting rights legislation and the Build Back Better Act, a broad social spending package that would have made historic investments in affordable housing, universal pre-K, elderly care, climate action, and more.

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Meanwhile, she has stoked controversy for fundraising with special interests, including fossil fuel executives.

The announcement of Sinema's formal departure from the Democratic ranks comes just days after Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock won his reelection bid in a high-stakes runoff race, delivering a 51-49 majority for Democrats in the upper chamber.

Despite the questionable timing, Sinema's move is not expected to have much impact on the balance of power. Democrats will maintain a narrow hold when counting Independent Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine, who caucus with them.

Sinema has not revealed whether she plans to caucus with Democrats, but she has said she expects to keep her current committee appointments.