Jeff Flake, a climate wild card, takes Arizona Senate seat

Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who has called for a tax on carbon emissions in the past, has won the Arizona Senate race.

The conservative Flake opposes cap-and-trade legislation and federal carbon emissions standards for coal-fired power plants, according to Arizona Public Radio.

But Flake — whose campaign drew opposition from environmentalists — also has a history of bucking his party on climate change.

In 2009, he introduced legislation with then-Rep. Bob Inglis (R-S.C.) that would have imposed a tax on oil, gas and coal production or imports.

It would be offset by a reduction in payroll taxes. Carbon tax proposals face massive political barriers but have also attracted increased attention of late.

Still, environmentalists don’t appear hopeful that Flake would be an advocate for emissions curbs or other green group priorities.

The Sierra Club and League of Conservation voters worked to defeat him, while another activists told E2-Wire that he’s “not credulous” about the likelihood that Flake would be an ally on combating climate change.

Flake beat former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona (D) for the seat that incumbent Sen. Jon Kyl (R) is vacating.

The Hill’s Alexandra Jaffe has much more on Flake’s election here.