Judge clears a lawsuit against Kyrsten Sinema under North Carolina’s ‘homewrecker’ law

A federal judge has rejected former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s challenge to North Carolina jurisdiction, allowing an alienation-of-affection lawsuit filed by Heather Ammel to proceed. U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon ruled Friday that nine messages Sinema sent to Matthew Ammel while he was in North Carolina established sufficient contacts with the state. Sinema has acknowledged a romantic relationship with Ammel, a former Army officer who joined her security detail, but argued the alleged affair occurred outside North Carolina. During a deposition, she said the relationship became sexual May 27, 2024, in Napa, California, and later continued in several other states. Heather Ammel alleges Sinema knowingly interfered in her marriage and seeks damages. North Carolina law permits alienation-of-affection claims, subject to statutory limits. Court records show the case was filed in September 2025 and moved to federal court in January 2026. Friday’s ruling addresses jurisdiction, not Sinema’s ultimate liability itself.