Minnesota Rep. Collin Peterson said he stands “in good conscience” after being one of the only Democratic members to vote against both articles of impeachment.
On Wednesday night, House Democrats voted to impeach President Trump on two articles of impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The vote was down party lines with the exception of three members.
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New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew had already announced that he would vote against impeachment and signaled that he plans to switch party affiliations to join the Republican Party. Despite insisting he’s still a “registered Democrat” following the impeachment vote, other members of the party rejected him, saying, “He’s not a Democrat.”
Democratic Maine Rep. Jared Golden voted against one article of impeachment but voted to impeach on the abuse of power article. That left many in the party to view Peterson as the lone Democrat to vote against both articles of impeachment.
In a statement about the vote, Peterson claimed that the lack of bipartisan support is why he split with his party on impeachment.
U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, one of two Democratic NO votes on both articles of impeachment, calls the process a “mistake.”
“I may stand alone but I stand in good conscience.” pic.twitter.com/yrVxbtaBPg
— Theo Keith (@TheoKeith) December 19, 2019
“Throughout my career, I have worked from the guiding belief that only through bipartisan action can we address the country’s most pressing challenges,” Peterson explained. “At the beginning of the impeachment debate we were told that it would only move ahead with bipartisan support in the Congress and significant support from the American people.”
He questioned how every Republican could be against impeachment while every Democrat was in favor of it.
“I am not a lawyer and I’m not sure what ‘high crimes and misdemeanors’ are, but I do know that this process has not convinced the people in my district we have impeachable offenses and that the president needs to be removed,” Peterson said.
He added, “This process has been a mistake and I will not be whipped in line by my party. I may stand alone, but I stand in good conscience. History will show this to be a mistake and the Senate will make short work of an acquittal.”
Peterson, unlike Van Drew, has no plans to leave the Democratic Party. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has already endorsed his Republican opponent, former Minnesota Lt. Gov. Michelle Fischbach.
Beyond Peterson’s condemnation, one other Democrat split with the party but refused to vote with Republicans. Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted present and noted that she believes the American people should decide Trump’s fate during the 2020 election.
