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A week ago, President Donald Trump appeared to make a tacit endorsement in Arizonas upcoming Senate race when he tweeted his excitement to see former state Sen. Kelli Ward mount a challenge against sitting Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ).

A pro-Trump super PAC quickly followed his lead by putting $20,000 behind Wards challenge soon thereafter.

But by Tuesday night, when the president traveled to Phoenix for a campaign rally, he was already signaling second thoughts over being too closely tied to Wards campaign.

The president huddled with Arizona Treasurer Jeff DeWit, former state GOP Chairman Robert Graham, and Rep. Trent Franks before the rally took place. Part of the conversation was geared toward feeling out whether Graham or DeWit, both early supporters of Trump during his campaign, would mount a challenge in the Republican Senate primary. Ward, notably, was not granted an audience with the president nor was she made a VIP at the event even as DeWit emceed the nights proceedings. And now, Graham is insisting that the presidents keeping his options open.

There was no inclination that he was leaning towards Dr. Ward in any stretch of the imagination, Graham told The Daily Beast in a phone interview. He said he and DeWit talk a lot with people in the White House and the Trump campaign and that theyre leaning on Jeff and I to make a decision.

DeWits office told The Daily Beast that he was not commenting on the race at this time.

The indecision from Trump over how to best approach the suddenly contentious GOP primary in Arizona is a reflection of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants style hes brought to politics in general. The presidents tweet about WardGreat to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. Hes toxic!gave Wards campaign a major boost among pro-Trump media figures and allies like Laura Ingraham and Sean Hannity.

It also led conservatives in Arizona to frantically try and pull the president in another direction before it became too late to, or too uncomfortable, to back away from Ward.

Graham said that if DeWit ultimately got into the race, he would support him and vice versa. He also said that Trump seemed primarily concerned about the prospect of losing the seat in next years race.

Look we have two senators in the state of Arizona who have kind of rocked the boat on the presidents agenda. One is in vocal constant opposition, Graham said describing Flake. Our primary is in late August. Whoever decides to get into the race, they have time because the numbers of Jeff Flake are so low.

The White House did not immediately respond to a question from The Daily Beast about the nature of the Ward tweet.

Graham theorizes that should Flake be the GOP nominee, the states Trump-loving Republican base may not show up to vote. One recent survey from the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling showed Flake with just a 22 percent job approval among voters who backed Trump in 2016. And while Ward may stand a better chance of animating those particular voters, as she has closely aligned herself with the administration, the concern expressed at the Phoenix rally meeting was that she was not strong enough to win the general election.

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According to Graham, Trump was very clear that he was not endorsing Ward at this time.

A spokesman for Ward did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Beast about Grahams assertions.

Whats clear, at this juncture, is that Trump is keen on unseating Flake in the primary. He lashed out at the Senator during Tuesdays rally and Flake responded on Thursday by saying that the presidents behavior was inviting a 2020 primary challenger. Less clear is the presidents preferred solution. Wards early entrance into the race drew financial support from some major pro-Trump donors. Robert Mercer, a hedge fund billionaire who has been closely aligned with former White House strategist Steve Bannon, donated $300,000 to a super PAC supportive of Ward.

But its unclear if the White House itself views her as the best candidate, perhaps because other challengers are not earnestly making their cases. Graham said Wards inability to defeat McCain in last years primary showed signs of weakness for her general election prospects next year. Theres no specific message outside of her saying she supports president Trumps agenda, he said. Everybody feels this. And it didnt help that Ward recently made headlines for saying McCain should step aside after his brain cancer diagnosis.

Ward already is the primary target of Flakes supporters. The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC with ties to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), released an ad this week saying Ward has crazy ideas and calling her Chemtrail Kelli Ward, in reference to a 2014 town hall Ward held to discuss chemtrails.

Were not willing to throw this Senate seat away to Democrats by nominating a fringe candidate like Kelli Ward, Steven Law, Senate Leadership Funds president and a former McConnell chief of staff told Politico this week.

But there may be a simpler additional reason as to why Trump remains hesitant on Ward, according to Graham. And thats loyalty. Graham and DeWit have been on Trumps side throughout his turbulent campaign and presidency with the former releasing a statement of support in the immediate aftermath of the release of the infamous Access Hollywood tape.

The president is incredibly loyal, Graham told The Daily Beast. If you work hard for him and he trusts you, he becomes a fan.

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Donald Trump Is Backing Away From Jeff Flake Challenger Kelli Ward - Daily Beast