The 2016 race isn’t even over and already we have candidates announcing bids for 2018.
Kelli Ward made clear this week that she will be running a primary challenge against Arizona Senator Jeff Flake. The announcement was made on her radio program “The Kelli Ward Connection” on Wednesday.
That name may sound familiar. Kelli Ward recently lost a primary challenge to Senator John McCain just a few months ago. She ran to McCain’s “right” and continually pressed the senator on his wavering support for Trump. Despite lots of speculation that Ward would give McCain a fight for his life, the race ended pretty handedly for McCain.
Ward is now giving a senate primary another try. Senator Flake has been an unabashed critic of Trump, and we have yet to see if Ward will make it a campaign issue in 2018.
“Sen. Flake might be semi-well-liked but he doesn’t have the longevity of John McCain, he doesn’t have the reach of John McCain, he doesn’t have the war hero status of John McCain,” Ward said. “And so I think that it’s an excellent opportunity for us.”
Something to also look out for is how Trump may play a part in the upcoming Arizona race. The GOP presidential nominee has been not so quiet on seeking retribution against Republicans who have refrained from supporting him.
Will more Never Trump Republicans be facing challenges from pro-Trump forces?