KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2024 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Some Surprised By Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake's Announcement

Jeff Flake
U.S. Congress
/
file | agency
Jeff Flake

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake announced Tuesday that he’d had enough, and will not seek re-election next year.

The news caught many people off guard, but it wasn’t a complete shock to some, including Nathan Gonzales. He’s the editor and publisher of Inside Elections.

A few weeks ago, Gonzalez said he’d been hearing rumblings that Flake may not run for a second term.

Closer to home, Republicans who’ve known Flake for years were also taken aback by the senator’s decision, including Stan Barnes of Copperstate Consulting. Barnes challenged Flake for a U.S. House seat in 2004.

Chad Willems of Summit Consulting Group in Phoenix, who worked with Flake, was disappointed by the news.

Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.