Former U.S. Senator and Ambassador Jeff Flake will bring his message of principled leadership and democratic responsibility to UC San Diego’s Park & Market this December as part of the Helen Edison Lecture Series.
Flake reflects on governing in an era of division, the importance of restraint in power, and why democracy still depends on integrity and dialogue.
When then U.S. Senator Jeff Flake took to the chamber floor in 2017 to announce he would not seek re-election, he did so with a speech that reverberated far beyond the Senate floor.
“It is time for our complicity and accommodating to stop. We must stop pretending that the degradation of our politics and the undermining of our institutions is normal,” he warned.
Calm and unflinching, he argued that moral compromise in pursuit of power was eroding both civic trust and the soul of American conservatism, a conviction that still shapes his outlook today.
Soon Flake will bring that same message of integrity, restraint, and democratic responsibility to UC San Diego for a public conversation titled “Leadership in an Era of Division,” as part of the Helen Edison Lecture Series at UC San Diego Park & Market on December 18, 2025.
Flake’s appearance is both timely and emblematic. As America heads into yet another high-stakes election year, questions of leadership and principle loom larger than ever. What are the responsibilities that come with leadership and citizenship alike?
A Call for Principled Leadership
When Flake takes the stage at Park & Market, he plans to speak to the responsibilities citizens and future leaders share in shaping the country’s democratic future. His message centers on the challenges of governing in a fractured climate, the importance of restraint and character in public office, and the lessons of diplomacy in an increasingly tribal world.
At the heart of it is a call for principled public service, a point he returned to often during a recent interview.
“We need examples of leaders who act with integrity, who listen, who compromise,” Flake said. “That’s what public service should be about.”
For Flake, the urgency of this message stems not only from the fragile state of American democracy, but also from the opportunity he sees emerging. He sees hope in a return to what he calls “traditional politics”—spirited debate without the vitriol.
“There’s an opening right now for legislators who want to govern with enduring principles, not anger and resentment,” he adds. “I think voters may be looking for that.”
He also believes that governance requires compromise, an idea that seems especially lost in modern politics.
“The Congress is a legislative body,” he said. “You do compromise. That’s how it’s supposed to work.”
Protecting Institutions in Turbulent Times
For Flake, the challenges of our times also expand far beyond political culture. He’s equally concerned with the structural foundations of democracy.
He’s been a strong advocate for institutional integrity and a balance of power, as well as a vocal defender of Congress’s constitutional role amid efforts to expand executive power.
“My concern over time has been the accumulation of power in the presidency,” he said. “Every president, regardless of party, exaggerates the mandate they’ve been given. In this case, I think they’ve really exaggerated it. What’s been difficult is seeing Congress—the first branch of government—willingly give up territory.”
He worries that short-term partisan calculations have undermined long-term checks and balances.
“The Senate used to jealously guard its prerogatives,” he noted. “Lately, too many just go along with whatever the president wants. That’s painful to watch.”
For that reason, he remains a staunch supporter of the filibuster, which he calls one of the last remaining mechanisms of bipartisan cooperation.
“The filibuster is one of the few mechanisms that forces the parties to work together,” he said. “I’m grateful that enough Republicans are pushing back against efforts to get rid of it.”
The Role of Public Dialogue in a Fractured Time
The Helen Edison Lecture Series is a fitting forum for Flake to continue to share his message.
The series was founded on the belief that democracy depends on dialogue; that moral questions of power, trust, and truth must be worked out through open public exchange.
Supported by the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, the series brings together global thought leaders, journalists, and changemakers to confront the defining issues of our time.
Joining Flake on stage to moderate the conversation will be Marco Werman, longtime journalist and host of the public radio program, The World.
Werman has spent his career making complex global stories accessible — and doing it with the curiosity of someone who believes conversation still matters.
As Journalist in Residence at UC San Diego, he’s worked closely with the university’s Department of Communication, co-teaching courses and hosting public dialogues that bridge local and international perspectives.
For Werman, moderating Flake’s talk is less about refereeing partisanship than it is about creating space for substance and letting humanity unfold in real time.
“When a community gathers to hear from someone who’s been in the arena—and to question them directly—that’s a civic act,” Werman said. “It makes a live event like this a communal experience. We all experience it together.”
For his part, Werman sees the conversation as a chance to reflect on dissent inside power structures, not just outside them.
“Flake represents a very independent-minded sense of leadership and resistance in this country,” he said. “I’m curious how he sees that resistance today—what it looks like inside a party, and what it should look like when so many fall in line.”
Werman also sees the live event as an opportunity to model the sort of principled dialogue that both him and Flake believe to be missing in our public discussions right now.
“These can be difficult conversations. To keep things civil, it’s about respect,” Werman explained. “I expect that most people who attend will come in with respect for the guest and for the subject. I hope to weave that through the conversation too.”
Journalist Marco Werman, host of public radio program “The World”
Looking to the Next Generation
Back home in Arizona, Flake’s optimism finds its outlet on college campuses.
He chairs the McCain Institute of Politics at Arizona State University, mentoring young people toward civic service and regularly speaks on college campuses.
When he visits colleges around the country, he sees a hope for the future that rarely makes headlines.
“Students today are smarter than we were at their age,” Flake said. “They’re also typically more optimistic. They want to be involved in public service—even if they look at the current environment and hesitate. My goal is to encourage them, however I can.”
He tries to remind today’s generation that most public servants are trying to do the right thing, even if that can sometimes be hard to see.
“Don’t believe what you see on cable news,” he tells them. “Not everyone in Washington is corrupt. There are a lot of good people on both sides of the aisle.”
That emphasis on good faith, he said, is essential if democracy is to recover its footing.
“When you see examples of people reaching across the aisle, working together with kindness and empathy—it doesn’t make headlines, but it happens,” he added. “That’s the good example of public service I want people to see.”
Learning Together, Engaging Together
The Helen Edison Lecture Series brings global thought leaders to UC San Diego to spark conversations that deepen public understanding and encourage meaningful civic dialogue. It is supported by a community that values thoughtful exchange and lifelong learning.
As Andrew Waltz, Director of Arts Management at UC San Diego Extended Studies, notes, “Democracy is strengthened every time people gather to listen, question, and wrestle with the hard issues of our time. Supporting this series ensures that these shared civic moments continue, not as luxuries, but as essential cornerstones of an engaged and resilient public.”
Community members who wish to become more involved, through attendance, partnership, or other support, are invited to connect with Waltz at awaltz@ucsd.edu. All are encouraged to register for the upcoming lecture and to join the mailing list to receive invitations to future events in the series.
Leadership in an Era of Division — A Conversation with Ambassador Jeff Flake will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at UC San Diego Park and Market. The event is free and requires advanced registration.