“As an elected official and as a Republican, I’m not excited about this, to say the least,” Flake said. “I don’t think that [Trump’s] views are reflective of the party, particularly in Arizona, a border state.”

Republican Party of Maricopa County Chairman Tyler Bowyer issued a statement in response to Flake’s comments saying the party is “thrilled” to welcome Trump and accusing the senator of violating former president Ronald Reagan’s commandment that “thou shall not speak ill of any other Republican.”

“It is saddening that at a time when Republicans should be exposing the negligence and failed policies of Democrats — from sanctuary cities to DACA and catch-and-release to Obama’s refusal to secure the border — some Republicans choose to instead gossip about which GOP presidential candidate was invited to meet with voters in their home county,” the statement read.