Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services

Grant Woods in 2013.

U.S. Congress

Jeff Flake

Grant Woods, former Republican Arizona attorney general, announced this week that he may run for Senate in 2020 — as a Democrat.

Republican Sen. Jeff Flake says Woods would be formidable.  

“Grant Woods is a very skilled politician and a smart guy, and he’d definitely be a tough candidate, whichever party he ran in,” Flake said.

But other Arizona politicians are more skeptical. Republican Jon Kyl, who’s temporarily serving in the late Sen. John McCain’s seat, said it’s hard for a Democrat to win statewide office in Arizona.

Democratic Congressman Raul Grijalva said Woods would face a pool of lifelong Democrats in the primary.