Hannity backs Kelli Ward in primary against Flake

Fox News host Sean Hannity has endorsed former Arizona state Sen. Kelli Ward (R) in her primary bid to unseat Sen. Jeff Flake (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

— David Catanese (@davecatanese) August 23, 2017

{mosads}

“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 McCain (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 McConnell (R-Ky.).

Hannity also endorsed Rep. Mo Brooks (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.