Sen. Jeff Flake is working Arizona as he faces a tough 2018 race.

Fellow Republicans, Dems seek ’18 ouster

PRESCOTT, Ariz. — Republican Sen. Jeff Flake has spent the first part of the August congressional recess crisscrossing Arizona, touring the U.S.-Mexico border, visiting a wildfire-scarred town and giving a speech to business leaders.

With low approval ratings and challenges from his own party, he will need to make the most of visits home if he is to endure a tough re-election fight.

Flake is in the crosshairs of many Republicans in Arizona, and he has angered President Donald Trump by criticizing him. The White House is recruiting candidates to take on Flake next year, and Trump has pledged to spend money to defeat him.

Democrats also are eyeing Flake’s seat, with U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema confirming Friday that she is exploring a run, and state Rep. Randy Friese is looking into a bid. Political newcomer and community activist Deedra Abboud is the only declared candidate.

In an interview Thursday in rural county north of Phoenix, the congressman elected 17 years ago and now serving his first Senate term swiped away talk that he has damaged his re-election chances.

He recently released a book criticizing Trump and fellow Republicans for straying from the conservative values he embraces.

“I am a senator from Arizona. That tells you a lot about where my position will be,” Flake said. “I’ll look out for the state, I’ll look out for conservative principles.”

The Republican field to challenge Flake is still taking shape.

Some are lining up with former state Sen. Kelli Ward, who lost her primary challenge to Sen. John McCain last year and has set her sights on Flake. Others are looking to recruit state Treasurer Jeff DeWit, who was chief operating officer of Trump’s campaign, or former state Republican Party Chairman Robert Graham.

Graham heaped criticism on Flake. He said the senator’s refusal to back Trump’s trade policies and his opposition to other initiatives are making him consider jumping in the race.

“He doesn’t just casually say, ‘I don’t like his policy,’” Graham said in an interview. “He’s calling into question his honesty, he’s calling into question his character. He calls into question his immigration agenda item. So it becomes a duty call.”

Bob Christie The Associated Press Yavapai County Supervisor Tom Thurman, right, talks with U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake as he points Thursday to an area where homes were saved during a June wildfire near Mayer, Ariz.