Trump’s approval likely to swing Arizona GOP Senate primary

PHOENIX — Republicans looking at Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake’s job could face a big 2018 primary field, but there could be a shortcut to standing out: presidential approval.

“Anybody who goes against [President Donald Trump] has gone up in flames,” Arizona State Treasurer Jeff DeWit said Friday on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News.

“The president is very popular in Republican circles in Arizona, more so than any other state. Whoever is going to win the primary … is going to be whoever the president supports.”

Since Flake announced his impending retirement this week, names of potential candidates have been making the rounds, including DeWit, who has strong ties to Trump, having served as chief operating officer of the presidential campaign.

DeWit hasn’t said whether or not he intends to run. Former State Sen. Kelli Ward remained the front-runner but potential candidates could include U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, former state party Chair Robert Graham and former U.S. Congressman John Shadegg.

“It’s going to be a year’s race of hell,” U.S. Rep Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) told the show earlier in the day.

DeWit would prefer a quieter fight. His friend Graham, who also has a connection with Trump, said this week on the show the two have been discussing which of them should run.

“If we can avoid a messy 10-way primary that leaves whoever gets out of it bruised and battered going into the general (election), I think that’s better for the party,” DeWit said.

“A lot of people are talking behind the scenes, hopefully trying to figure out who the best chance to win the general and then we can all get behind that person.”

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