Former Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona announced Sunday that he is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
“I want to support a candidate who understands that political opponents are our fellow citizens — the ‘loyal opposition’ as our parties once knew each other — not the enemy,” Mr. Flake posted on X. “Having spent the past three years overseas as a U.S. Ambassador, I’ve seen up close that we have very real enemies abroad. We also have vital and indispensable allies.”
“I want to support a presidential candidate who understands and appreciates the difference,” he said.
Mr. Flake also said he wants to support a candidate “who seeks to unite our country rather than one who divides us; one who represents the ideals of a new generation of leadership based not on grievances of the past, but hope for the future.”
He encouraged all Republicans who “feel this way” to back Ms. Harris, the Democratic nominee, for president.
Mr. Flake served in the House from 2001 to 2013 and the Senate from 2013-2019. He stepped down from his position as ambassador to Turkey earlier this month.
He joins other Republicans who have endorsed Ms. Harris, like former Reps. Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney, along with her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, among others.
On ABC’s “This Week,” Mr. Flake said Sunday that, as a Republican, it’s “difficult to support a candidate who, having lost an election, tries to use the powers of the presidency to overturn that election.”
“That is anything but respect for the rule of law. So, I know that a lot of conservative Republicans feel the way I do, that you just can’t support a candidate like that,” he said.
His endorsement comes as Ms. Harris and former President Donald Trump are neck-and-neck in Arizona, with polls showing Mr. Trump only narrowly leading Ms. Harris.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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