Former US Sen. Jeff Flake takes new job as CBS contributor

PHOENIX — Former U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona has a new job title: CBS News contributor.

The announcement was made early Monday on “CBS This Morning.” Flake said he is working with the network on a new series called “Common Ground.”

Former Senator @JeffFlake will contribute to a new series we’re launching called #CommonGround – stories that shine a light on opposing groups coming together. pic.twitter.com/B9dDB9UDOF

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) January 29, 2019

Flake also reiterated that he does not believe he would be the right politician to challenge President Donald Trump in the Republican primary for the 2020 election, but said he hopes someone runs against Trump.

“I have always said that I do hope that there is a Republican who challenges the president in the primary,” Flake said. I still hope that somebody does, but that somebody won’t be me. I will not be a candidate.”

He was rumored to be making the move to the news network earlier this month, shortly after he left office after serving in Congress for 18 years.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, CBS News “engaged in talks” with Flake over a role as an on-air contributor.

He was also spotted at the network’s New York headquarters.

For a time, the former junior senator from Arizona was rumored to head to MSNBC or CNN after meeting with the heads of the network last June.

The Arizona Republican announced in 2017 that he would not seek re-election, citing a divisive culture created under President Donald Trump.

U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) was elected to his seat late last year. She will serve alongside U.S. Sen. Martha McSally, a Republican who also campaigned for Flake’s seat.

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