Arizona Rep. Trent Franks Discussed Senate Campaign With Sheriff Arpaio Yesterday

Yesterday, Arizona's Politics reported that Arizona Rep. Trent Franks (R-CD2) had called Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio earlier in the day to discuss the Republican primary race to replace Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ).  That was relayed to us by Arpaio's campaign manager Chad Willems - who is also responsible for the insta-poll which has received a lot of attention.  We asked Franks' office for confirmation.

We received the 4th-term Congressman's response last evening from Press Secretary Ben Carnes.  On the day after his colleague, Rep. Jeff Flake (R-CD6) made his candidacy official, Franks reiterated that he is "weighing all of his options" and is still "seriously considering" the race, and confirmed that he discussed the prospects of either or both Franks and Arpaio entering the race.  However, he assumed his call to Arpaio was private, "and, consequently, has no further comment."  The full statement is after the jump.

Statement from Rep. Trent Franks' office:

The Congressman has already stated that he is seriously considering the possibility of running for the seat vacated by Senator Kyl, but he has made no definitive decision, beyond weighing all of his options.

Congressman Franks also confirmed that he did, in fact, speak with Sheriff Arpaio earlier today about the prospect of either, or both of them entering the Senate race, but he was operating under the assumption that the call was a private call and, consequently, has no further comment.

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