Former Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona not ruling out spot in Biden cabinet

PHOENIX — Former U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican, said Thursday he would not rule out accepting a position in Joe Biden’s cabinet if the Democrat wins the presidency.

Flake’s cross-party support for Biden has reportedly put him under consideration as the former vice president considers building a bipartisan administration.

Flake, who decided not to seek reelection in 2018, was mentioned in a Politico article this week alongside former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania as Republicans that Biden’s campaign is reportedly vetting.

“I will always look to serve the country in any way that I can,” Flake told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Thursday. “I wouldn’t rule it out but I certainly don’t expect it to happen. I fully expect to simply be doing what I’m doing now.”

Flake has been a longtime critic of President Donald Trump. He first said he would not be voting for Trump back in April.

Along with two dozen other politicians, Flake helped launch the Republicans for Biden group in August.

Flake cited Biden’s willingness to work across the aisle as a reason to support the Democrat.

“He’ll bring the country together and not try to divide the country,” Flake said. “I think that’s what a lot of people want to hear.

“I don’t think the president’s base wants to hear that, they’ll always be with the president, but that’s just not a big enough base to get the president across the line. Joe Biden is really eating into people that the president needs: independent, moderate republicans.”