Outgoing Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said in a new interview he has not ruled out running for the White House in 2020 opposite President Donald Trump and is convinced someone from the right will challenge Trump.
Flake has spoken out about Trump on multiple occasions and is not running for re-election this year. He told CNN's David Axelrod his future may involve politics.
"I've not sworn off elected office in the future. I think the fever will have to cool," Flake said. "There's not much place for a Republican like me in a party like this right now. I know that."
When asked directly if he is planning to run for president in 2020, Flake said that's not in his cards at the moment — but it could be down the road.
"It's not something I'm planning. No, I wouldn't swear it off. I think we'll see where this goes," Flake said. "I do think the president will have a challenge from the Republican Party, I think there should be. I also think that there will be an independent challenge, particularly if the Democrats insist on putting somebody up from the far left of the party. Two years is a long time in politics."
Flake announced last fall that he will not seek a second term in 2018. He criticized Trump in that speech and did so again in another speech earlier this year, referencing former Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.
This week, however, Flake admitted that Trump may have the ability to help curb gun violence in America by joining forces with both political parties and coming up with gun legislation.