GOP senator joins support for Flake in contentious Arizona primary

A Senate Republican is standing up for a GOP colleague in his contentious reelection bid, despite opposition from President Trump.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) will speak at a Phoenix fundraiser for Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) in support of the senator’s reelection campaign against a pro-Trump challenger, according to azcentral.com. 

Ernst will appear at a Young Republicans meet-and-greet event on Sept. 7, followed by a “Women for Flake” fundraiser the next day, Flake’s campaign told the paper.

{mosads}The Iowa senator is a consistent supporter of Trump, but also the most recent Republican to show support for Flake, who regularly criticizes Trump’s views and has been personally attacked by the president.

Trump recently called Flake “weak on borders” and “weak on crimes.”

Flake’s primary challenger Kelli Ward, a former state senator, is using Trump’s criticism in campaign ads.

The senator has said he is not worried about the president’s criticism, or his backing of Ward in the primary.