Jeff Flake

Jeff Flake's political career began in the United States House of Representatives, where he served from 2001 to 2013, representing Arizona's 1st and then 6th congressional districts. His tenure was marked by a commitment to fiscal conservatism, as evidenced by his opposition to earmarks and government waste. This commitment earned him recognition as the least profligate spender in Congress by Citizens Against Government Waste. His voting record was notably conservative, reflected in a lifetime 93% conservative score from the American Conservative Union. His fiscal conservatism extended to his stance on disaster relief, voting against legislation intended to prevent natural disasters and provide aid to those harmed by them.

Flake's political career progressed when he served as a United States Senator from Arizona from 2013 to 2019. During his time in the Senate, Flake found himself among the most conservative members, ranking fourth in 2017. Despite this, he demonstrated some bipartisan efforts, particularly in the area of immigration reform. As a member of the bipartisan "Gang of Eight," Flake helped to push an immigration reform bill through the Senate in 2013. In addition to his legislative duties, Flake authored the book, "Conscience of a Conservative: A Rejection of Destructive Politics and a Return to Principle," further establishing his conservative ideologies.

Following his time in the Senate, Flake was appointed as the United States Ambassador to Turkey in 2022, an appointment confirmed by the Senate. Despite being a member of the Republican Party, Flake was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, demonstrating his capacity to navigate bipartisan relationships. Additionally, after leaving politics, Flake expanded his influence through media, joining CBS News as a contributor in 2019. His political career, combined with his media involvement and ambassadorship, positions him as a well-rounded figure with a wealth of experience in both domestic and international issues.