The evolution of Kyrsten Sinema, from the homeless child to the Senate candidate

The Times has requested interviews with Ms. Sinema's family members to discuss her experiences with the homeless. His mother hung up twice on a reporter. In an email, his father-in-law, Mr. Howard, said that they were "proud" of his accomplishments, but asked for confidentiality.

Separately, Ms. Sinema's campaign provided a statement from her stepfather and mother that they lacked power and water. But in a later email, he asked why he would have paid electricity, gas and telephone bills, but Mr. Howard did not respond.

Last month, in a Washington Post story, her aunt said of Ms. Sinema's story: "I realize it's pulling people's strings and that's what it was doing, but you know, that's not the truth.

For Sinema, who has been in the minority since joining the Congress, her story at Horatio Alger is as important to her campaign as it is to her relatively short term in Washington. Having faced no serious primaries to his left, she led one of the most moderate and conservative Senate campaigns this year, holding the media at bay and avoiding controversial issues.

Finally, Ms. Sinema's stepfather and mother found more work and some financial stability. With the help of the Mormon leader of their local church, the family left the gas station in 1987 and moved to a county farm.

And there were few more bright and ambitious kids in the county than Mrs. Sinema.

At 16, she had earned enough credits to graduate – and she did so as a majorist. A prestigious scholarship to Brigham Young University in hand, she finished her undergraduate work in two years and then returned to Arizona with a social work job.

She put Florida behind her, starting her career in politics with the Green Party, then as a Democrat from Arizona and now a centrist member of the House.

"A few years ago, I started talking about my childhood to some of my friends, to people with whom I worked. It was difficult, "she told The Times. "But what I found was that it was very important to them and to them. It helped people understand what motivates me, why I care so much about things that are important to me. I think it helps people understand what motivates the work I do. "