In a big first, Republican congressman says he's voting for Hillary Clinton
On Tuesday, Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) became the first Republican member of the House to openly admit he will be voting for Hillary Clinton for president, in a move that prioritizes defeating Donald Trump over party loyalty. "I think Trump is a national embarrassment. Is he really the guy you want to have the nuclear codes?" Hanna told Syracuse.com, adding that the Republican nominee is "unfit to serve our party and cannot lead this country."
In a separate op-ed published on the site, Hanna outlined his exact reasons for his decision. "While I disagree with her on many issues, I will vote for Mrs. Clinton," Hanna wrote. "I will be hopeful and resolute in my belief that being a good American who loves his country is far more important than parties or winning and losing."
Hanna, notably, will be retiring this year and thus does not face the pressure of a reelection race. However, this is not the first time he has taken a stance different from that of his party: Talking Points Memo reported Hanna "supports same-sex marriage and rejects certain limitations on abortion."
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