Kelli Ward has picked up the endorsement of Republican Sen. Rand Paul in her 2018 run for Sen. Jeff Flake’s seat.
Paul, a former presidential candidate, is the first U.S senator to back Ward. He is framing the race as Ward versus “the establishment”
“The battle lines have been drawn,” Paul said in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday.
Until recently, Flake would have been the target of Paul’s comments, but the senator has said he will not be running again.
Flake’s departure has opened up the field, and Ward is now trying to capitalize on this vacuum by stocking up on endorsements from conservatives like Steve Bannon, Fox News Host Sean Hannity and now Paul.
“I think Dr. Ward represents the conservative insurgency and I think you will see that the establishment will try to come to Arizona and see what they can do, but I think the conservative movement is frustrated with many of its Washington leaders,” Paul said, adding “They’re ready to rebel.”
There have been many people floated as possible challengers to Ward, including some of Arizona’s Republican congressmen, but no clear candidate has emerged yet.
Ward previously served in the Arizona senate where she represented Lake Havasu City.