More cracks are beginning to show in the Republican facade, with Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.) pledging support for former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson over Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, The Washington Post reports. Rigell has represented Virginia’s second district for over five years. In March, he told CNN that he did not believe Trump was the answer to the Republicans’ problems.
He told CNN:
“I believe that Republican voters have got a reason to be upset and angry, but I’m submitting to them that the solution is not Donald Trump in any respect.“
Then came the official blast to Trump’s Republican backing. On Saturday, Rigell endorsed Gary Johnson, stating his intention to vote for the Libertarian candidate in November, according to The New York Times.
The Congressman said Saturday:
“I’ve always said I will not vote for Donald Trump and I will not vote for Hillary Clinton. I’m going to vote for the Libertarian candidate.”
His wording appears to express a lack of other options more than supreme enthusiasm in Johnson, but no matter.
Johnson’s Libertarian Party is attempting to gather disaffected Republicans while Jill Stein’s Green Party attempts to do the same to the Democrats, in an election that is getting stranger by the day.
Rigell is not the only Republican Representative who has endorsed another candidate.
Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) also endorsed someone else last week. Hillary Clinton. Both Congressmen are retiring at the end of this session, which gives them extra freedom to exercise the First Amendment.
Rigell’s not just putting his own voice out there – he’s also encouraging other Republicans to speak out against Trump:
“When their own conscience is seared by some statement that Trump has made, I have encouraged them to be direct and also, in a timely manner, repudiate what he said. People will respect it if you have a reason and you put it out there.”
One thing’s for sure, if these trends continue, this election could have the biggest spoiler effect since Nader and Gore in 2000. Only this time, we might not end up with an idiot in charge as a result.
Featured Image: Screenshot Via YouTube Video.
