Virginia Sen. John Warner, now retired, has been a Republican for decades. He has never before endorsed a Democrat for president, but he doesn't like what he sees in this year's GOP nominee. So, he's with her.
Warner made the announcement official on Wednesday as vice presidential candidate Sen. Tim Kaine introduced Warner at an event in Alexandria, VA.
Sen Warner is now 89. First time the long time Republican has endorsed a Democratic presidential nominee. @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/vyoU20yTRr
— Bob Barnard (@barnardfox5dc) September 28, 2016
"Loose lips sink ships - got that Trump!" Warner said in his remarks. He praised Clinton because she has "always throughout her life prepared, done her homework" and "studied."
Clinton is pleased to have Warner's support, she told the Washington Post.
“For 30 years, Virginians trusted John Warner in the Senate, and for good reason: He has dedicated his life to defending our country, from serving in the Navy in World War II to chairing the Senate Armed Services Committee, where I had the honor of working with him to support our men and women in uniform and their families,” Clinton wrote in a statement provided to The Washington Post. “I am proud to have John’s support, and to know that someone with his decades of experience would trust me with the weighty responsibility of being Commander in Chief.”
Several Republicans have voiced their opposition to their party's nominee, including Sens. Ben Sasse (UT) and Susan Collins (ME) and 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney. The Clinton team has used the GOP's words in campaign ads to prove even Trump's own party is disenchanted with him.