Former GOP Arizona senator endorses Harris

Former Republican Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) on Sunday endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president over former President Donald Trump.

“I served with Kamala in the United States Senate. I’ve also served with Tim in the United States House of Representatives,” Flake said in a video posted on X , referencing her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. “I know them. I know firsthand of their fine character and love of country.”

Flake, who described himself as a “conservative Republican,” added, “I would encourage all Republicans who feel this way to do the same. After all, in times like these there is nothing more conservative than putting country over party.”

Flake, a vocal Trump critic during his time as a senator during the Trump administration, said that he wanted a candidate who uses “the political process created by our founders to debate and to persuade, not disparage or demonize” and “understands that political opponents are our fellow citizens, not the enemy.”

“I want to support a presidential candidate who seeks to unite our country, rather than one who divides us,” Flake said in the video. “One who represents the ideals of new generation of leadership, not based on grievances of the past but hope for the future.”

In the video, and later in an interview with Martha Raddatz on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday morning, Flake pointed to Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election results as a reason he cannot support him — and that he wants a candidate who “respects the will of the voters.”

“I think Republicans believe in the rule of law in particular, and it's difficult to support a candidate who, having lost an election, tries to use the powers of the presidency to overturn that election,” Flake said in an interview with ABC. “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.”

Flake served in the House from 2001 to 2013 and the Senate from 2013 to 2019. Most recently, Flake served as an ambassador to Turkey, stepping down this month.

He noted on ABC that as an ambassador, he could not make the endorsement until he resigned.

“Having spent the past three years overseas as a United States ambassador, I've seen up close that we have very real enemies abroad,” Flake said in the video. “We also have vital and indispensable allies. I want to support a presidential candidate who understands and appreciates the difference.”

Flake later added in the interview with Raddatz that he feels Harris is ready to be commander in chief because of the interactions he has had with her on the international stage, such as at the Munich Security Conference. He said he believes Harris understands the real threats, as well as allies abroad.

“It was really stark watching the debate the other day, and hearing the former president not be able to even cheer for Ukraine,” Flake said. “And that's a big issue for me, and certainly for all of Europe who have spent a lot of time and blood and sweat and tears trying to help Ukraine deal with this Russian threat. We have to support and work with our allies, and [Harris] understands that.”

Flake also took a jab at Trump’s proposed tariff policies that economists have criticized .

“There are reasons to impose tariffs,” Flake said to Raddatz. “But to pretend that we're going to get a windfall of money from some foreign government because we're imposing tariffs just doesn't jive with what and where conservatives have been on free trade.”