A Republican mayor from Michigan is switching sides to support Democratic front-runner Joe Biden.
On Monday, Mayor Michael Steering of Sterling Heights, Mich., took to Twitter to announce his endorsement of Biden ahead of the Michigan primary.
He also offered a brief explanation about his decision to switch parties and vote for Biden.
He tweeted, “How could I look at those three kids and tell them I’m proud to support Donald Trump? I can’t. I won’t.”
“I’m voting for [Joe Biden] tomorrow and endorsing him for President of the United States. I hope you’ll join me,” he added.
Check out his post below:
How could I look at those three kids and tell them I'm proud to support Donald Trump? I can't. I won't. I'm voting for @JoeBiden tomorrow and endorsing him for President of the United States. I hope you'll join me. #Biden2020#MichiganPrimary https://t.co/GIA3PT5DNS
— Michael Taylor (@MayorMikeTaylor) March 9, 2020
Taylor’s tweet follows his Monday interview with the Chicago Times where he further explained his reason for backing Biden. He believes Biden has the ability to bridge the gap between moderates and Republicans.
“I think Joe Biden is the candidate who can unify all of the Democrats and he’s the candidate who can appeal to moderates and Republicans like me who don’t want to see four more years of President Trump,” Taylor said.
Taylor also reflected on the 2016 general election. When the candidates surpassed the primary and it was down to President Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, he admitted that he had “slowly talked” himself into voting for Trump.
“I remember thinking this Trump thing is insane, but when it was down to him and Hillary, I kind of said, ‘Well, you are a Republican, and yeah he’s nuts, but maybe he’ll get better and you know he’s going to lower taxes,” Taylor told the Tribune.
“I slowly talked myself into it. ‘He can’t seriously be this deranged once he gets in there,’ and he’s even more deranged now than I thought then. So, I take the blame. I voted for him.”
Taylor is now being praised for his change of heart by Michigan lawmakers for his decision.
Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm also shared Taylor’s message and tweeted, “Thank you.”
Thank you, @MayorMikeTaylor!!!#Biden2020 #MichiganPrimary @JoeBidenhttps://t.co/sZLl7zK4GC
— Jennifer Granholm (@JenGranholm) March 10, 2020
The Michigan Democratic primary is underway. The next 2020 Democratic debate is scheduled for March 15.