From the Hollywood Reporter:
Former Sen. Jeff Flake has landed as a CBS News contributor and announced on air on Tuesday that he will not run for president in 2020. Flake was spotted at the network’s New York City headquarters on Jan. 4 amid talks for a role, The Hollywood Reporter reported at the time.
That role was formally announced on CBS This Morning on Tuesday during a segment about his future ambitions. A moderate Republican who left his U.S. Senate seat earlier this month, Flake was considered a potential Republican challenger to President Trump in 2020.
“I’ve always said that I do hope there is a Republican who challenges President Trump,” he said. “That will not be me.”
Just Announced: Former Senator @JeffFlake will join @CBSNews as a contributor. pic.twitter.com/j4Em76I49Y
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) January 29, 2019
Shocked that Jeff flake who wouldn’t have come close to winning his home district isn’t going to run for president.
I thought he was a real contender?
Maybe try for dog catcher!
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 29, 2019
You thought about running in 2020. Are you going to run?
“I have always said that I do hope that there is a Republican who challenges the president in the primary. I still hope that somebody does, but that somebody won’t be me. I will not be a candidate.” — @JeffFlake pic.twitter.com/YX1LtXzEBX
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) January 29, 2019