Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., left open the possibility that he could vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican Donald Trump in the general presidential election.
“I think both Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton are flawed candidates,” he told CBSMiami Thursday night. “If you look at the polls, the majority of Americans have a negative view of both of them. I’m going to wait and see what happens on our side; I’ve already said that I would not support Mr. Trump.”
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Though he could not support Trump, Curbelo said that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll vote for a Democrat instead.
“I think that in every election, everyone — Republican, Democrat, independent — has to ask themselves, ‘Who is the best candidate for this office?'” Curbelo said.
“A lot of Republicans, Republicans that I know, would vote for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. What I have said to the media over and over again is that I will not support Mr. Trump under any circumstances,” Curbelo added.
Curbelo is currently campaigning for reelection in Congress — he represents Florida’s 26th congressional district, which he won in 2014. The district, which encompasses Key West and the Everglades National Park, became an official district in 2013 as a result of the 2010 census.
“That’s not a political decision, that’s a moral decision. I could never explain to my two little girls that I support Donald Trump. That does not mean supporting Mrs. Clinton automatically,” Curbelo said.
Following the posting of the story on CBSMiami, Curbelo — who identifies himself as the son of Cuban exiles — took to his Facebook page to further explain his stance.
“Just to dispel a rumor started by a misleading news story, I have no intention of supporting either of the candidates currently leading in the delegate count of each respective party,” he wrote. “I believe that delegates at the Republican Convention will have the option of nominating the best candidate for President, and I’m hopeful that they will make a good choice — someone my family can proudly support.”
