Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed Rep. Jeff Flake in the GOP nomination fight to replace retiring Sen. Jon Kyl (R).

“The United States Senate needs a leader like Jeff Flake,” Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, wrote in a letter to Flake. “Jeff is a proven conservative crusader, and today I am proud to announce my support for his campaign to become the next U.S. Senator from the great state of Arizona.”

two other high-profile endorsements from

Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona is the presumptive Democratic nominee. Roll Call rates this race as Leans Republican.