Sen. Flake congratulates Sinema, praises McSally in race to replace him

PHOENIX — Outgoing Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona sent out words of support to both his Democratic successor and the woman she defeated after a long-delayed winner was finally determined Monday.

U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema was declared winner of the drawn-out Senate race. She beat fellow Congresswoman Martha McSally, a Republican, to become the state’s first female federal-level senator.

Sinema captured 49.68 percent of the votes to 47.96 percent when the race was called. Election workers were still counting the remaining 172,000 outstanding ballots.

Flake, who decided not to run for re-election, leaves office in January.

Arizona’s senior senator went on social media to congratulate Sinema and praise McSally for her conciliatory reaction.

Congratulations to @kyrstensinema on a race well run, and won. It’s been a wonderful honor representing Arizona in the Senate. You’ll be great.

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) November 13, 2018

What a gracious concession speech, @MarthaMcSally. You’ve done Arizona proud. https://t.co/uZgSYkHdTp

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) November 13, 2018

McSally led the highly contested race after Election Day voting ended, but it was too close to call. As votes continued to be counted nearly a week later, Sinema moved ahead then began widening the margin.

She won by about 1.7 percentage points.

Flake was elected to his seat in 2012. He beat Democrat Dr. Richard Carmona, 49.2 percent to 46.2 percent.

Republican Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey also tweeted best wishes to Sinema.

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