Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who announced on Tuesday that he would not seek reelection in 2018, wouldn’t dismiss the notion that he might run for president in 2020.
During an interview on CNN with Jake Tapper, Flake was asked if “somebody in the Republican Party, perhaps you, should challenge the president in 2020?”
“I won’t go there. That’s a long time away,” Flake replied.
Tapper pressed the issue: “So, you’re not — you’re not discounting it?”
“Certainly, I didn’t support the president in the last election, and — but it’s early,” Flake said in response. “That time will take care of itself.”
Tapper wouldn’t let up, noting, “Okay. That’s not a denial, I’d like to point out.”
“I’m not trying to get cute,” he continued. “But, I mean, if you didn’t support him last time and [Sen. Bob] Corker is saying he made a mistake by supporting him last time, do you think there is going to be a movement for Republicans to replace him?”
“I can just say I didn’t support him last time. I did not vote for the president,” Flake said. “Nothing that he’s done has earned my support since that time or made me more likely to vote for him, you know, in the second run. So, that’s all I’ll say.”
Flake has long been a vocal Republican critic of President Trump, and Flake continued to slam him even as he announced his resignation on Tuesday.
