Retiring GOP Congressman Becomes First to Back Clinton

GOP Rep. Richard Hanna said he'll vote for Clinton.

ByABC News
August 2, 2016, 12:24 PM

— -- Rep. Richard Hanna of New York became the first Republican in Congress to say he would vote for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in November.

The outgoing congressman wrote in an op-ed in The Syracuse Post Standard that he differs with Clinton on a number of policies but that Trump "is unfit to serve our party and cannot lead this country."

"While I disagree with her on many issues, I will vote for Mrs. Clinton," Hanna wrote.

"I found [Trump] profoundly offensive and narcissistic but as much as anything, a world-class panderer, anything but a leader," he wrote. "Little more than a changing mirror of those he speaks to. I never expect to agree with whoever is president, but at a minimum the president needs to consistently display those qualities I have preached to my two children: kindness, honesty, dignity, compassion and respect."

Hanna mentioned Trump's attacks on Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the parents of fallen Army Capt. Humayun Khan. Khizr Khan delivered a powerful address at the Democratic National Convention last week.

"In his latest foray of insults, Mr. Trump has attacked the parents of a slain U.S. soldier. Where do we draw the line?" Hanna asked.

In March, Hanna said he would never vote for Trump.

Republican leaders, including Sen. John McCain, have praised the Khan family and attempted to distance themselves from Trump, but no other GOP members of Congress has said they would vote for Clinton.

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