The state's junior U.S. senator is warning that Arizona could do something in November it hasn't done in 20 years if Donald Trump doesn't change his tone and tenor. I.e. Vote blue in the presidential election.
On "Face the Nation" Sunday, Sen. Jeff Flake said Trump needs to change the way he delivers his message, especially as it relates to issues involving Hispanics.
"The statements he made right out of the gate when he got into the campaign about those crossing the border being rapists and whatnot, that just doesn't sit well. And then to refer to judge born in Indiana as a 'Mexican' in a pejorative way, you can't expect to win Arizona when you make statements like that," he said.
Flake pointed out Hispanics make up about a third of the state's population. And even with Hispanics having generally lower turnout than other groups, it's growing.
"There's an increased urgency among Hispanics to vote. And if they do, then it will be a changed ballgame here," he said.
Flake said there's precedent for a Clinton victory in Arizona: her husband won the state in 1996. And it's not just Arizona that Flake says Trump is in danger of losing. He said the winning candidate will need about 65 million votes nationwide.
"He's only received about 14 million votes in the primary so far. To get from 14 to 65 or so you've got to take more responsible positions with regard to policy. And you also have to change the tone and tenor," he said. "And if none of us on the Republican side are saying that needs to change, then I don't believe he will change."
Flake said he met with Indiana governor Mike Pence when Trump's vice presidential pick was in Arizona last week. Flake said Pence, who served with him in the House of Representatives for 12 years, attempted to convince him to come around.
The pitch?
"Well, that Donald Trump is a different guy in private than he has shown in public. He made a good case. Mike is a good guy. And I hope that he has influence on Donald Trump," Flake said. "But I have yet to see Donald Trump change positions he needs to change, particularly change the tone and tenor of the debate sufficient to win the election in November."