(Photo by Jimmy Jenkins - KJZZ)

Sen. Jeff Flake

Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake spoke in New Hampshire on Friday at a political forum — and the presidential overtones were clear.

The speech came at a well-known event called Politics and Eggs, put on by Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire and the New England Council, a business group. He gave a now-familiar argument critical of President Trump, then took questions, including “will you run for President?”

Flake, a Republican, laughed and said, “Next question,” before eventually offering an answer he’s given before.

“It has not been in my plans to run for president, but I’ve not ruled it out.” He went on to say he does want to to see someone challenge President Donald Trump in the GOP primary in 2020.

“I think the Republicans want to be reminded what it means to be a traditional, decent Republican,” Flake said.

In his prepared remarks, Flake spoke mostly of the current toxicity in Washington, D.C., but also hinted at the future.

“Yes, the pendulum swings, thank goodness. And the people themselves will show us the way out of here. If this sounds like a call to new politics, it is. But it is just as much a call to the old politics. The best traditions of America, of true leadership and vision, of Lincoln’s malice toward none and charity for all.”

New Hampshire holds the first presidential primary in the nation, soon after the Iowa caucuses. Flake said last year he won’t run again for the Senate. While he mostly votes with his party, Flake has consistently spoken out against Trump’s attacks on his opponents and the press.