Story highlights
Former Rep. Chris Shays says Donald Trump lost him long ago. He plans to vote for Hillary Clinton
Shays: I have strong conviction she'll be a good president, is smart, tough, willing to work with GOP to improve country
Editor’s Note: Christopher Shays was a Republican U.S. representative from Connecticut from 1987 to 2009. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
During the 34 years I served as a Republican elected official in Connecticut, 13 years in the State House of Representatives, and 21 years in Congress, I always voted for our Republican candidate for governor and our Republican candidate for president.
Always, but not this time.
Donald Trump lost me a long time ago.

I know some want to stick it to the so-called establishment, reject the status quo, and they see Trump as their vehicle. And I know some Republicans dislike President Obama, and have such a strong dislike for Hillary Clinton, they are willing to vote for a man they know does not have the temperament, knowledge or experience to be president.
In fact, I think many Republicans know Donald Trump could cause great damage to our country and the world at large, and still plan to vote for him. But not me. He represents practically everything I was taught not to be, and everything my wife and I taught our daughter not to be.
Clinton, the Democratic candidate for president, will be getting my vote, not reluctantly, but with a strong conviction that she will be a good president.











