Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema is facing a lawsuit in North Carolina under the state’s “homewrecker” law. This follows a federal judge’s ruling that the state has jurisdiction over claims that she contributed to the breakdown of a marriage by having an affair with a woman’s husband.

Sinema admitted to having a sexual relationship with Matthew Ammel, who was previously part of her security detail while she was a senator. However, she argued against being sued in North Carolina, asserting she did not have a significant connection to the state.

U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon dismissed Sinema’s argument, noting that she was aware Ammel resided with his wife, Heather Ammel, and their three children in North Carolina. The judge emphasized the importance of communication, pointing to nine messages Sinema sent to Ammel as evidence influencing Heather Ammel’s decision to file a lawsuit.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., speaks at a news conference at the Capitol building on Nov. 29, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images).

Heather Ammel’s civil complaint aims to recover damages from Sinema, alleging that Sinema disrupted her “good and loving marriage.” North Carolina permits alienation-of-affection claims, enabling spouses to hold third parties accountable for contributing to marital breakdowns.

The judge highlighted the nature of messages exchanged between Sinema and Ammel, which indicated the continuation of a romantic relationship and interference in Ammel’s marriage. These interactions occurred during trips Sinema took with Ammel and when he was home.

Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., speaks to reporters in the Ohio Clock Corridor in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images).

According to Heather Ammel’s legal filing, Matthew Ammel joined Sinema’s security team in 2022 after his Army retirement, which led to domestic and international travel with her. Sinema, who remains unmarried, revealed in a July deposition that her sexual relationship with Ammel began around Memorial Day, 2024.

She provided details of their encounter in an Airbnb in Napa, California, during her deposition at a Raleigh law office. The lawsuit further claims that Ammel ceased wearing his wedding ring that summer and was later employed as a national security fellow in Sinema’s Senate office.

Sinema’s deposition also mentioned their relationship included sexual encounters in various states, excluding North Carolina. The Ammels officially separated in November 2024, with their divorce finalized by March 2026.