Fox News host Sean Hannity has endorsed former Arizona state Sen. Kelli Ward (R) in her primary bid to unseat Sen. Jeff FlakeJeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeGOP lawmakers stick to Trump amid new criticism Kelly holds double-digit lead over McSally in Arizona: poll Trump asserts his power over Republicans MORE (R-Ariz.).
A reporter for U.S. News & World Report first broke the news on Wednesday, saying Ward told the crowd at an event in Sun Lakes that Hannity voiced his support as they were taping a radio interview.
. @kelliwardaz mid-radio interview at her event in Sun Lakes, announces to the crowd, “@seanhannity just endorsed me” #AZSEN
Click Here: cheap all stars rugby jersey— David Catanese (@davecatanese) August 23, 2017
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“I warmly offer you my endorsement and my support,” Hannity reportedly said on his radio program.
Hannity called Ward’s challenge to Flake “a race she can win.”
“But I’m throwing my support early behind you,” he added.
Ward, who unsuccessfully ran against Sen. John McCainJohn Sidney McCainThe Hill’s Campaign Report: Bad polling data is piling up for Trump Cindy McCain ‘disappointed’ McGrath used image of John McCain in ad attacking McConnell Report that Bush won’t support Trump reelection ‘completely made up,’ spokesman says MORE (R-Ariz.) last year, has based her platform on being a staunch ally of President Trump, as Flake has recently ramped up criticism of the commander-in-chief.
Trump has repeatedly ripped both Flake and McCain, tweeting Wednesday that Arizona’s junior senator is “weak on crime.”
Phoenix crowd last night was amazing – a packed house. I love the Great State of Arizona. Not a fan of Jeff Flake, weak on crime & border!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2017
And last week, he offered up praise for Ward:
Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He’s toxic!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2017
Trump has yet to explicitly endorse Ward, while Flake has enjoyed the support of the super PAC allied with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote GOP senator to try to reverse requirement that Pentagon remove Confederate names from bases No, ‘blue states’ do not bail out ‘red states’ MORE (R-Ky.).
Hannity also endorsed Rep. Mo BrooksMorris (Mo) Jackson BrooksOvernight Defense: Senate confirms US military’s first African American service chief | Navy to ban display of Confederate flags | GOP lawmakers urge Trump not to cut troops in Germany Republicans urge Trump to reject slashing US troop presence in Germany Conservative lawmakers press Trump to suspend guest worker programs for a year MORE (R-Ala.) in the Alabama Senate special election, though Brooks later failed to advance to the September primary runoff.
—Updated at 4:33 p.m.