Former CNN anchor John Avlon has thrown his hat in the ring as a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress.
Avlon made the announcement Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter. He is running to unseat freshman Rep. Nick LaLota (R) in New York’s first congressional district, The Hill reported.
“Democracy is in danger,” he said in his announcement.
“Avlon said he was running to help preserve democracy and build a broad coalition against former President Trump, the current GOP presidential front-runner,” The Hill reported.
The candidate said he wants to work toward preserving democracy in the U.S.
“I believe the United States is the greatest democracy the world has ever known. But right now, our democracy is in danger,” Avlon said. “This election is not a drill. It’s up to all of us to step up and get off the sidelines. And that’s why I’m running for Congress, in New York’s first district. There’s just too much at stake for the country and the community that I love.”
Avlon particularly took aim at former President Donald Trump, who is the clear leader as the GOP nominee.
“We need to build the broadest possible coalition to defeat Donald Trump, defend our democracy and win back the House from his MAGA minions who don’t even seem interested in solving problems anymore,” he said, according to The Hill.
“Together we can flip this seat,” Avlon said in the video.
Avlon left CNN two weeks ago. He joined CNN in 2010 and became full time in 2018, The Hill reported. He is also the former editor in chief of The Daily Beast.