(NewsNation) — Two prominent politicians who previously ran for president as Democrats are now endorsing former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election: Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
While the pair are the most notable, there are multiple Democrats who have endorsed former President Trump, reiterating that not each presidential preference follows party lines.
Former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard
Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has endorsed Donald Trump’s presidential bid, furthering her shift away from the party she sought to represent four years ago and linking herself to the GOP nominee’s critiques of Vice President Kamala Harris and the chaotic Afghanistan War withdrawal. Gabbard left the Democratic party in 2022.
Gabbard has long signaled some level of support for Trump, even while she sat in the U.S. House as a Democrat. In 2019, she was the only lawmaker to vote “present” when the House of Representatives impeached Trump for his dealings with Ukraine.
RFK Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his independent campaign for president and endorsed Trump in late August. Kennedy initially ran for the Democratic Party nomination but on Oct. 9, 2023, announced he would run as an independent candidate.
A year ago, some would have thought it inconceivable that a member of arguably the most storied family in Democratic politics would work with Trump to keep a Democrat out of the White House. Even in recent months, Kennedy has accused Trump of betraying his followers, while Trump has criticized Kennedy as “the most radical left candidate in the race.”
Ruben Diaz Sr.
Socially conservative Democrat Ruben Diaz Sr. represented the 18th District of New York City Council between 2018-21, and previously represented the 32nd District in the New York State Senate.
While not being in office since Dec. 31, 2021, Diaz Sr. endorsed Trump in May during a rally in South Bronx earlier this year.
“Mr. President, I want to join you in having the Bronx great again,” he told Trump. “Please accept this Democrat, this black Puerto Rican with kinky hair and broken English, please accept my endorsement for president.”
Diaz Sr. is staunchly against abortion and same-sex marriage. According to NY1, Diaz said in 2019 that the New York City Council was “controlled by the homosexual community.”
Rod Blagojevich
The former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich held the esteemed position between 2003-2009 before being impeached, removed from office, and subsequently served almost eight years in prison.
Blagojevich was released from prison in 2020 after former President Trump cut short his 14-year sentence relating to political corruption.
“That was a tremendously powerful, ridiculous sentence in my opinion and in the opinion of many others,” Trump said at the time of Bloagjevich’s release, stating his sentence was also “unfair.”
Blagojevich has described himself as a “Trumpocrat,” meaning a Democratic who supports the 45th president.
The former Illinois Gov. told “Banfield” in May that he was “heartbroken” over the guilty verdict against Trump in the hush money case.
