Former Republican Senator Jeff Flake endorses Harris for president

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Former Republican Senator Jeff Flake, who served as President Joe Biden's former ambassador to Türkiye, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president in the latest split with his party and Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Flake, who served as a Republican senator for six years before being appointed to Ankara, made his endorsement in a video message posted on X Sunday.

He acknowledged differences in policy with Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, but said "we should use a political process created by our founders to debate and to persuade, not disparage or demonize," in an apparent reference to Trump.

"Having spent the past three years overseas as a United States 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.

"I served with Kamala in the United State Senate. I've also served with Tim in the United States House of Representatives. I know them. I know firsthand of their fine character and their love of country. I would encourage all Republicans who feel this way to do the same," he added.

Flake has been one of the most vocal and unwavering Republican critics of Trump, particularly after the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot in which hundreds of the ex-president's supporters stormed the federal legislature in a bid to prevent Biden from assuming the presidency.

Flake's career in national politics began in 2001 when he was elected to represent Arizona's 1st district in the House. He remained there until 2013 when he was elected to the Senate, fulfilling a six-year term before he left politics in 2019.

Flake was nominated by Biden to serve as Washington's envoy to Ankara in July 2021, and receiving Senate confirmation three months later.

His endorsement comes as Harris continues to lag behind Trump in Arizona, a key battleground state heading into November's national election. An average of national polling compiled by the RealClearPolitics website has the ex-president leading Harris by two percentage points. ​​​​​​​