ARIZONA NEWS

Sen. Jeff Flake says he will not run for re-election in 2018

Oct 24, 2017, 12:02 PM | Updated: 12:59 pm

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2015 file photo, Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., listens during a Senate Judiciar...

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2015 file photo, Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., listens during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

PHOENIX — In a move that turned next year’s Senate race on its head, incumbent Jeff Flake announced Tuesday that he would not seek re-election.

A spokesman for Flake’s office confirmed reports that he planned to leave politics because of the divisive climate created under President Donald Trump.

“There are times at which we must risk our careers in favor of our principles,” he said while announcing his decision on the Senate floor.

Flake’s term will end in early January 2019.

There was no immediate reaction from Trump, but White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders addressed the decision during her daily briefing.

The senator and Trump have been at odds since the campaign, a battle that came to a head after he released a book, “Conscience of a Conservative,” in which he bemoaned his party’s failure to stand up to Trump in last year’s presidential race.

“We pretended that the emperor wasn’t naked,” he wrote.

Trump, in turn, has lashed out at the senator on Twitter, calling him “toxic,” while praising Dr. Kelli Ward, who planned to challenge the senator in next year’s primary.

White House officials said there was little chance Trump would have had a change of heart over supporting Flake.

His seat had become a target for both Democrats and Republicans alike. Democratic U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema declared her candidacy last month.

“People are fooling themselves if they think Jeff Flake is anything but a walking dead member of the United State Senate,” said Andy Surabian, whose Great America Alliance is backing Ward.

Ward unsuccessfully challenged Arizona’s senior senator, John McCain, in last year’s election, losing in the primary by a wide margin.

She said Arizona voters would benefit from the senator’s decision.

Trump reportedly met with other potential candidates — state Treasurer Jeff DeWit and Robert Graham, former chairman of the Arizona Republican Party — for the seat before his August campaign rally at the Phoenix Convention Center.

U.S. Rep. Trent Franks (R-Arizona) was also involved in the meeting, which Politico described as a “backstage huddle.” During the huddle, Trump reportedly referred to Flake as “the flake” and “discussed the potential for a primary challenge to Flake.”

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey thanked Flake in a statement.

“[Flake] was a voice for fiscal responsibility at the federal level before it was popular, and effectively ended the practice of earmarks,” he said. “I’ve appreciated his friendship, professionalism and intellect on policy issues impacting Arizona. I wish all the best for [Flake], Cheryl and their whole family.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

scottsdale patrol vehicle parked behind caution tape...

KTAR.com

Scottsdale man forced to withdraw money from ATM after home invasion

A north Scottsdale man was robbed in a home invasion early Wednesday and forced to pull out money from an ATM.

13 minutes ago

Animal shelters in Arizona are seeing a growing number of Huskies enter the shelter system....

Colton Krolak

Here’s why Maricopa County is seeing a rise in Huskies in shelters

Animal shelters in Arizona are seeing a growing number of Huskies enter the shelter system making them among the most common breeds in shelters.

3 hours ago

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced approximately $240 million in awards for the e...

Kevin Stone

Research and development hub based at ASU gets nearly $40M in funding from CHIPS Act

A regional innovation hub based at Arizona State University was awarded nearly $40 million in federal funding to promote technological advances.

4 hours ago

Four schools in Arizona were recently recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023 by the U....

SuElen Rivera

4 Arizona schools named as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools

Four schools in Arizona were recently recognized as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. 

4 hours ago

bowls of different ice cream dishes at Tom's Incredible Ice Cream...

KTAR.com

Tom’s Incredible Ice Cream serving free scoops during Scottsdale grand opening Friday

Tom's Incredible Ice Cream is set to debut this Friday near Old Town at Scottsdale Road and Second Street.

4 hours ago

Bobby Holmes...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert issued for woman last seen in Phoenix

A silver alert has been issued for a woman last seen Tuesday near 35th Street and Pinochet Avenue in Phoenix. 

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Home moving relocation in Arizona 2023...

BMS Moving

Tips for making your move in Arizona easier

If you're moving to a new home in Arizona, use this to-do list to alleviate some stress and ensure a smoother transition to your new home.

...

SCHWARTZ LASER EYE CENTER

Key dates for Arizona sports fans to look forward to this fall

Fall brings new beginnings in different ways for Arizona’s professional sports teams like the Cardinals and Coyotes.

...

Ability360

At Ability360, every day is Independence Day

With 100 different programs and services, more than 1,500 non-medically based home care staff, a world-renowned Sports & Fitness Center and over 15,000 people with disabilities served annually, across all ages and demographics, Ability360 is a nationwide leader in the disability community.

Sen. Jeff Flake says he will not run for re-election in 2018