5 Republicans Explain Why They Left the Party Since the 2016 Election

President Donald Trump was the antithesis of a conventional GOP nominee, so the abnormalities and shock value that often characterize his administration are far from unexpected. Trump’s election as a Republican President rattled many traditional conservatives, for example Joe Scarborough. Earlier this week, the Morning Joe host and former GOP Florida representative denounced his affiliation with the party, stating, “I’ve got to become an independent.”

And it turns out that there are other Republicans leaving their party.

We decided to speak with average Americans who recently parted ways with the Republican Party. They were prompted with questions regarding their reason for prior affiliation with the Republican party, why they left, and where (politically speaking) they went.

Here are our five interviewees  — Republicans leaving their party:

1. Robert, 21, New York

What initially drew you to the Republican Party?

“I initially registered as a Republican because I wanted to vote in the Republican Primary for Frank Scaturro, who was running against a machine candidate — Trump. So even though I disagreed with the Republican Party on climate change, gun control, and LGBTQ issues, I thought it was worth it to support a candidate not beholden to party bosses.”

How did the election of President Trump influence your choice to change political parties? Which party did you switch to?

“Watching the Republican Primary, I knew that I aligned more with the Democratic Party, and there was no point in staying. I stayed a registered Republican to vote and campaign for John Kasich, seeing him as the final hope against a party of extremism, but that [Kasich’s campaign for President] failed. When Donald Trump become the Republican Presidential nominee, I re-registered as a Democrat. The Democratic party is more willing to address racial, economic, and environmental injustices, and I wanted to support candidates who were doing that. Donald Trump is the antithesis of that, and while I probably would have re-registered as a Democrat regardless of his nomination, that made my decision much easier.”

2. Emmy, 58, Utah

What initially drew you to the Republican Party?

“I have been a Republican from the time I could first vote at 18. I’m conservative in ideology and at the time, politics was reasonable. I’m from Utah — reddest of the red states. But I’ve had it.”

How did the election of President Trump influence your choice to change political parties? Which party did you switch to?

 “I liked Obama’s presidency although it was a tad liberal. It was smart and he was a class act. With the advent of Trump, though, the Presidency is loud, boorish, with a glaring lack of finesse. And worst of all is the lack of care about for his constituents want, feel or hope for. He’s a terrible president who is making America irrelevant. The Republicans are so far right — I can’t even go there. I’m switching to an Independent — the Democrats aren’t much better.”

3. Doug, 41, South Carolina

What initially drew you to the Republican Party?

“Growing up in Moncks Corner, SC, it’s [the Republican Party] all you know. Many cling to their guns, religion, and military. That’s all I knew for the first 18 years of my life. I was naive. It wasn’t until I left for college, met new people and slowly formed my own beliefs that I started seeing our country differently. Many (not all) in the small town, rural South never leave and stay in their bubble. I didn’t want that to be me. It’s not who I am. In addition, though, I was also drawn to the fiscal conservatism of the Republican Party, a value I still hold. I still believe in a flat or fair tax where loopholes are closed.”

How did the election of Donald Trump influence your choice to change political parties? Which party did you switch to?

“Trump has only pushed me farther away from the Republican Party. His hateful rhetoric and immature, narcissistic behavior is disgusting. I’m even more appalled that many Republicans continue to find excuses for him. At some point, you would think they would choose country over party, but they rarely do. There’s a few that do, but not many. I will never be back with the GOP and Trump has solidified that. I’ve joined the Libertarian Party. I believe in pretty much all of their platform. I’d be a little stricter on guns then most Libertarians, but that’s about all of the platform I stray away from. I’m a fiscal conservative, but socially Liberal. In fact, I’d say I lean more left than right. I believe in women’s rights, gay rights, marijuana legalization, non intervention, less government, etc. In the end, it’s all about the Golden Rule. Live and let live.”

4. Jill, 47, Texas

What initially drew you to the Republican party?

“My parents were/are Republicans. My father is retired military and my mother is retired civil servant. When I was small all I heard was how terrible things were during Carter and how great things became during Reagan. I grew up in a Republican household and lived in a Republican suburb.”

How did the election of President Trump influence your choice to change political parties? Which party did you switch to?

“I never paid much attention to politics until I was forced to move to Chicago and then to New York for a job. I realized how important and corrupt local politics was — the lines between right and wrong were blurred. After bouncing around the country with my husband’s job, we were never so happy to end up back in Dallas. My husband and I were strong Cruz supporters, however when Donald Trump won the nomination I could not look at my four children and say that I support or condone this behavior. We left the Republican Party after the convention and I do not foresee us returning. I am currently politically homeless, but my principles are still intact, so I am very happy as an independent.“

5. Julie, 53, Utah

What initially drew you to the Republican Party?

“The short answer is that I was raised in a Republican household. I was a teenager when Ronald Reagan was elected, and it seemed to me that overnight we went from being a little ashamed of being American, to being a proud nation. The hostages in Iran came home, and Reagan personified my youthful ideal of a statesman and leader. I have always valued fiscal responsibility, and he ran on balancing the budget. During the Clinton administration, I was distressed by his marital infidelities, and rejected the idea that you could separate your public values from your personal values. Additionally, I have always valued individual rights, and thought that the GOP, with it’s aim of small government, would more closely align with that goal.”

How did the election of President Trump influence your choice to change political parties? Which party did you switch to?

“I never considered voting for Trump. His values, his rhetoric, and his style are all repugnant to me. His treatment of women was enough to keep me from voting for him. When he suggested policies like building a wall on the Mexican border, a religious test for immigrants, and limiting freedom of the press, I was sure no constitution-loving Republican would support him; Republicans would surely see through him as anathema to everything they stand for. Instead, both my fellow Republicans and elected Republican representatives largely fell in line behind him. The day he got the nomination I changed my party affiliation to Democrat. I voted for Hillary Clinton and participated in the Women’s March. I now feel the Democratic Party more closely aligns with my core values.”