On Monday, August 8, over 50 local residents attended a rally to publicly thank Representative Richard Hanna for endorsing Hillary Clinton for President. On last Tuesday, Representative Richard Hanna (CD 22) became the first Republican member in Congress to say that he will cross party lines and vote directly against GOP nominee Donald Trump.
The rally, which was organized by Central New York Labor Council, Central New York Citizens in Action, Inc., and other groups, was held in front of Representative Richard Hanna’s office, in Downtown Utica. Rep. Hanna spoke to those who attended the rally and thanked them for supporting his decision.
Hanna, who wrote last week an op-ed in the Syracuse Post Standard endorsing Clinton, said he found the Republican presidential nominee “deeply flawed in endless ways.”
“For me, it is not enough to simply denounce his comments: He is unfit to serve our party and cannot lead this country,” he said in the op-ed.
Hanna added that while he disagreed with Clinton on many issues, “she stands and has stood for causes bigger than herself for a lifetime”.
Hanna said in the op-ed: “That matters. Mrs. Clinton has promoted many of the issues I have been committed to over the years including expanding education and supporting women’s healthcare.”
“All Republicans may not like the direction, but they can live to win or lose another day with a real candidate,” Hanna concluded the op-ed. “Our response to the public’s anger and the need to rebuild requires complex solutions, experience, knowledge, and balance. Not bumper sticker slogans that panders to our disappointment, fear, and hate.”
Pat Costello, President of the Central New York Labor Council, stated: “The Central New York Labor Council along with the Central New York Building & Construction Trades Council applauds Congressman Richard Hanna’s very courageous decision to endorse Hillary Clinton. Congressman Hanna has always been very thoughtful and deliberate throughout his career when making crucial decisions on behalf of his constituents. This choice was no different. It is a shame that there are some that would criticize his decision. There is no place for party loyalty when the result would be detrimental to our country. We are sure that there will be more Republicans who will follow Congressman Hanna’s choice to endorse Hillary Clinton as the campaign unfolds but to be the first one takes a very brave and committed representative and for that we thank him.”
John Furman, President of the Central New York Citizens in Action, Inc., said: “We stand in support of Representative Hanna’s courageous decision to endorse Hillary Clinton. It is important that Democrats, Republicans, and Independents work together to defeat Donald Trump. Donald Trump would be a disaster for the 22nd Congressional District. His economic policies will hurt the lives of youth, farmers, working people, seniors, and disabled. Trump lacks the skills, experience, and character to be President and would put our nation’s security at risk. His racist and anti-immigrant talk is an affront to American values. We are delighted that Representative Hanna did the right thing by endorsing Hillary Clinton for President.”
Central New York Citizens in Action, Inc. Blog 
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