Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) announced Thursday that he plans to vote for President Trump in November. It's a stark change from 2016, when Katko did not support or vote for Trump.
In October 2016, Katko had some harsh words for Trump. After the release of videotape in which Trump was heard making sexually aggressive comments against women, Katko released a statement saying "I have long declined to endorse or support Donald Trump in this race. Today, many others in my party are joining me. Neither candidate shares my values. I cannot support Hillary Clinton, but Donald Trump has not and will never earn my vote."
During a debate in October 2016 with his Democratic opponent, Colleen Deacon, Katko reiterated his position.
"From the moment he was the nominee. I've said I do not -- I have serious concerns. I withheld support. I withheld saying I was going to a vote for him and withheld saying I was going endorse him. I've never endorsed him. I've never said I was going to vote for him," he said.
On Thursday, Katko announced he would vote for a second term for Trump this November.
"As much as I am sometimes frustrated by the president's approach, I believe our country is in a better place today than it was four years ago," Katko said in a statement. "We cannot afford the extreme policies being championed by the left, which would result in higher taxes for every American and a guaranteed debt crisis for our country. Given this choice, I will support President Trump this November."
Katko also said this was not a "blanket endorsement."
"I will continue, as I always have, to be a vocal check on the president when I disagree with his rhetoric and with policy decisions that are not in the best interest of central New York," he said.
Katko called on his three Democratic challengers, Dana Balter, Francis Conole and Roger Misso, to say who they support for president. All three have said they will support whoever earns the Democratic nomination.
