A longtime Democrat says he has grown so disgusted by the modern Democratic party, that he has decided to run for Congress as a Republican.
Former New York Police Chief La’Ron Singletary, has reportedly had enough of the Democrats and their contempt for the American people.
Singletary added that their anti-police rhetoric has really crossed the line for him and forced him to make the switch.
“The demonization, the demoralization, and the defunding the police rhetoric from the Democratic Party, coupled with other ideologies the Democratic Party started to take on caused me to leave the party,” said Singletary.
“The Democratic Party was no longer the party that I knew it to be, and no longer the party of my parents.”
Echoing the remarks of another lifelong Democrat who switched sides, former President Ronald Reagan, Singletary said that he “didn’t leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me.”
“We live in a country that allows us to change political parties if we no longer agree with the party’s beliefs,” he said. “When politicians put politics before people, it’s wrong.”
This is not the first time Singletary has been in the national spotlight. Two years ago, the police chief stood up to now-ousted Democrat Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, who was accused of mishandling the racially charged death of black man Daniel Prude and seemingly attempted to pin the blame on the Singletary himself.
Singletary announced his resignation from his post on Sept. 8, 2020, and his entire command staff went with him, in a clear rebuke of Warren. The then-mayor fired Singletary after his resignation announcement.
“As a man of integrity, I will not sit idly by while outside entities attempt to destroy my character,” he said at the time.
Singletary later sued Warren and the City of Rochester for defamation of character, creating a hostile work environment, and wrongful and retaliatory termination. Singletary said that the entire fiasco left him determined to serve the public on his own terms.
“My desire, my commitment, and my passion to serve has not wavered,” Singletary said, reflecting on the saga.
The lawsuit was settled in February, with Singletary being awarded $75,000 and the restoration of his health benefits.
“For me, it was about the principle of the matter and clearing my name,” he said. “You only have one reputation and when it’s under attack, you must stand up and fight, especially when you are right.”
In the filing against Warren and the city, Singletary said that he “repeatedly refused to lie for Mayor Warren,” adding that “pressure to support Mayor Warren’s narrative also came from other city officials.”
Now that he’s switched parties, Singletary mused that the events of the last two years may have simply driven him to where he always belonged. He recalled growing up in a Democrat-identifying household, but one whose values seem a poor match for today’s version of the party.
“While growing up in a democratic household, I’ve always held conservative values,” he noted. “I grew up in the church and my parents ingrained in me that if you work hard, you can accomplish anything.”
