Former Republican Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder endorsed Joe Biden, joining dozens of other former GOP officials who backed the Democratic presidential nominee rather than President Trump.
Snyder revealed his endorsement of Biden in a USA Today column on Thursday, much of which was an indictment of Trump.
“I will continue to support and stand up for Republican policies and values, and support Republican candidates, but I will not support Donald Trump for reelection,” Snyder said. “Being a bully and being strong are not the same thing. Being strong is standing up for your convictions. Being a bully is trying to intimidate those who are perceived to be weaker or a threat. As a proud nerd, I had to deal with bullies over many years; it is tragedy watching our world suffer from one.”
Snyder, who was governor of Michigan from 2011 to 2019, stands out from most other Republican Biden supporters in that he held office recently and overlapped with Trump’s presidency by two years. He was a possible running mate for 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
The former governor declined to endorse Trump in 2016, staying out of the presidential election altogether. Trump nagged Snyder about his lack of endorsement when the two met and posed for a photo together in 2017. “I never forget,” Trump said.
He is one of 100 Republicans and independents endorsing Biden on Thursday in a group led by former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, who previously endorsed Biden. Former Republican Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, who ran a Republican presidential bid this year and was the Libertarian Party vice presidential nominee in 2016, is also expected to endorse Biden on Thursday.
Other prominent Republican endorsers of Biden include former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake and former Ohio Gov. John Kasich. A handful of anti-Trump Republicans were featured during the Democratic convention last month.
“I had the opportunity to interact with Mr. Biden when he served as vice president. My interactions were always constructive and respectful. He has shown the desire to heal a deeply divided nation; has demonstrated strong moral character and empathy; and he seems willing to listen to people who have different perspectives from his own,” Snyder said Thursday. “We need a leader who believes in civility and bringing Americans closer together.”
Trump narrowly won Michigan in 2016, the first time that a Republican presidential candidate won the state since 1988. The state accounts for 16 Electoral College votes and is one of the most closely watched states in the 2020 presidential election.
Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman Laura Cox brushed off Snyder’s endorsement. “Does @onetoughnerd really think 1 MI voter cares who he would support? Mr. Irrelevant! @realDonaldTrump won in ’16 w/o him and will do in ’20!” she said in a tweet.
Does @onetoughnerd really think 1 MI voter cares who he would support? Mr. Irrelevant! @realDonaldTrump won in ’16 w/o him and will do in ’20!
— Laura Cox (@MIGOPChair) September 3, 2020
