“It definitely opens up the Senate for potentially a full spectrum of conservatives to win — or potentially lose the seat entirely,” said Representative Trent Franks, an Arizona Republican. “The possibilities are almost endless.”Mike Noble, a Republican pollster, called it “bedlam out here in Arizona.”“Everyone’s phones are blowing up,” he said. In 2012, the last time the state had an open Senate seat, Democrats recruited Richard H. Carmona, a tough-talking Vietnam War hero and former surgeon general in the administration of George W. Bush. Despite Mr. Carmona’s conservative credentials, Mr. Flake won the seat, 49 percent to 46 percent. One recent poll showed Mr. Flake with an 18 percent approval rating, and a survey in August by Arizona High Ground, Mr. Coughlin’s firm, found Mr. Flake trailing both Ms. Ward and Ms. Sinema.

Source: New York Times October 29, 2017 13:07 UTC