Elections

GOP Rep. Hanna Says He’s Voting For Clinton

(Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Dan Chaison Reporter
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Republican Rep. Richard Hanna stepped across the aisle and offered his support for Hillary Clinton in November.

The New Yorker is the first Republican member of Congress to say he is voting for the Democratic nominee over Republican Donald Trump. The announcement came in an op-ed for the Syracuse Post Standard, in which Hanna ripped Trump for ongoing controversies, including his criticism of the family of a fallen Muslim soldier and John McCain’s military service.

“In his latest foray of insults, Mr. Trump has attacked the parents of a slain U.S. soldier. Where do we draw the line? I thought it would have been when he alleged that U.S. Sen. John McCain was not a war hero because he was caught,” Rep. Hanna said.

In the past, Republicans have excoriated Trump for making disagreeable remarks but stopped short of withdrawing support. But Hanna took his scolding over the edge.

“For me, it is not enough to simply denounce his comments: He is unfit to serve our party and cannot lead this country.”

In March, the 65 year-old Republican said he wouldn’t support Trump even if he were the party’s nominee.

Hanna admitted that he and Clinton disagree on a number of issues, but he said there’s enough common ground for her to earn his vote.

“Secretary Clinton has issues that depending on where one stands can be viewed as great or small. But she stands and has stood for causes bigger than herself for a lifetime. That matters. Mrs. Clinton has promoted many of the issues I have been committed to over the years including expanding education and supporting women’s health care.”

Hanna’s announcement came after a senior Jeb Bush advisor, Sally Bradshaw, said she plans to vote for Clinton if the election comes close in her home state of Florida.

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