Both Hanna and Rigell are retiring from Congress following this election.
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Retiring U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell will vote for Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson in the coming elections, his office confirmed this weekend.
He said in March he would not vote for Trump, telling fellow Republicans in a letter that Trump’s judgment, temperament and character point to “a reckless, embarrassing and ultimately risky presidency”.
Rep. Scott Rigell of Virginia told The New York Times on Friday he will instead vote for Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson, the former Republican governor of New Mexico.
Rigell also vowed that he would leave the party and become an independent if Trump’s campaign platform took hold in the party.
‘I’ve always said I will not vote for Donald Trump and I will not vote for Hillary Clinton, ‘ Rigell The New York Times.
‘Given the fact that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, I think, are two of the most polarizing figures in American politics today, where is the third choice?’ the ex-car dealer asked The New York Times in April. “He has crossed so many red lines that a Commander-in-Chief, or a candidate for Commander-in-Chief should never cross”.
“When their own conscience is seared by some statement that Trump has made”, Rigell said.
Johnson’s running mate, former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, also spoke at the rally, introducing Johnson.
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Johnson and presumptive Green Party nominee Jill Stein filed the lawsuit jointly, arguing that their exclusion from the debates breached antitrust laws and their First Amendment rights. If more Republican officeholders follow Rigell’s lead, it could help Johnson become a viable alternative to Trump among disaffected Republicans.
