Joe Arpaio Considers Challenging Jeff Flake in 2018 Following Presidential Pardon

Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has indicated he may run for political office in Arizona, potentially challenging Senator Jeff Flake in the 2018 elections. In an interview with The Washington Examiner, the 85-year-old expressed openness to running for various positions, including mayor, legislator, or senator, asserting that he believes many Arizonans would support his candidacy. Arpaio's remarks come shortly after President Donald Trump granted him a pardon on Friday, following his July conviction for criminal contempt related to defying a federal court order on immigration enforcement. The Trump administration praised Arpaio, highlighting his long-standing efforts to combat crime and illegal immigration. Meanwhile, Flake faces a primary challenge from former state Senator Kelli Ward, who aligns more closely with the president's policies. Trump publicly endorsed Ward in August, criticizing Flake for being weak on border security and crime, calling him "toxic" in a tweet. Flake has publicly criticized President Trump's policies, describing the travel ban as "morally repugnant" and reflecting on the Republican Party's internal divisions in his recent writings.