Local leaders react to Sen. Flake announcement

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) announced plans Tuesday to retire from the U.S. Senate at the end of his term, joining at least five other Republican members of Congress who say they won’t seek another term.

Arizona Republican Party Chairman Jonathan Lines today released the following statement thanking Sen. Flake for his service to Arizona:

“Sen. Jeff Flake’s love of Arizona is obvious whether you’ve known him for decades or for five minutes,” AZGOP Chairman Jonathan Lines said.

“He is a tried and true Arizonan who has served our state honorably for more than 18 years. He has worked his hardest to make this state a better place for all Arizonans. The Arizona Republican Party thanks him for his service and looks forward to working with him through the end of his term.”

In a phone interview with News 11, Arizona Representative Charlene Fernandez (D-LD 4) said, “I thought it was going to be a great race in 2018 between Jeff Flake and the Democratic nominee. I know that Kyrsten Sinema has thrown her hat in the ring and that probably would have been a really good race.”

“But I think with him now deciding not to run; we will probably see a couple more progressive Democrats come out and run for the seat. I think we are ready. Arizona is ready for a Democrat and ready for progressive.”