Houghton, who served in three different districts — on account of redistricting — between 1987 and 2005, had a moderate voting record in Congress and often brokered deals between Democratic and Republican members on critical issues. He was considered a champion for improving civility between political parties and was founder of the Republican Main Street Partnership, which he formed to encourage a more moderate stance to public issues.
Houghton is one of two former New York congressmen who signed the letter, made public Thursday, calling Trump “a man who makes a mockery” of conservative principles, and is “manifestly unqualified” for the presidency.
The full letter follows:
Each of us has taken an oath of office that conferred upon us a solemn obligation to act in the best interests of the United States. As Republican members of Congress, we took pride in representing a political party that stood for honest and principled public leadership in which the American people could place their trust.
Sadly, our party’s nominee this year is a man who makes a mockery of the principles and values we have cherished and which we sought to represent in Congress.
In the presidency, as in Congress, it is not policy alone that determines one’s fitness for office. Given the enormous power of the office, every candidate for president must be judged rigorously in assessing whether he or she has the competence, intelligence, knowledge, understanding, empathy, judgment, and temperament necessary to keep America on a safe and steady course. Donald Trump fails on each of those measures, and he has proven himself manifestly unqualified to be president
In nominating Donald Trump, the Republican Party has asked the people of the United States to entrust their future to a man who insults women, mocks the handicapped, urges that dissent be met with violence, seeks to impose religious tests for entry into the United States, and applies a de facto ethnicity test to judges. He offends our allies and praises dictators. His public statements are peppered with lies. He belittles our heroes and insults the parents of men who have died serving our country. Every day brings a fresh revelation that highlights the unacceptable danger in electing him to lead our nation.
We are proud of our service in the United States Congress and proud that we served in that role as Republicans. It is in that spirit that, as Donald Trump’s unfitness for public office has become ever more apparent, we urge our fellow Republicans not to vote for this man whose disgraceful candidacy is indefensible. This is no longer about our party; it’s now about America. We may differ on how we will cast our ballots in November but none of us will vote for Donald Trump.
Those signing the letter were:
- Steve Bartlett (Texas),
- Bob Bauman (Md.),
- Sherwood Boehlert (N.Y.),
- Jack Buechner (Mo.),
- Tom Campbell (Calif.),
- Bill Clinger (Pa.),
- Tom Coleman (Mo.),
- Geoff Davis (Ky.),
- Mickey Edwards (Okla.),
- Harris Fawell (Ill.),
- Ed Foreman (Texas, N.M.),
- Amo Houghton Jr. (N.Y.).
- Sen. Gordon Humphrey (N.H.),
- Bob Inglis (S.C.),
- Jim Kolbe (Ariz.),
- Steve Kuykendall (Calif.),
- Jim Leach (Iowa),
- Pete McCloskey (Calif.),
- Connie Morella (Md.),
- Mike Parker (Miss.),
- Tom Petri (Wis.),
- John Porter (RIll.),
- Claudine Schneider (R.I.),
- John “Joe” Schwarz (Mich.),
- Chris Shays (Conn.),
- Peter Smith (Vt.),
- Edward Weber (Ohio),
- Vin Weber (Minn.),
- G. William Whitehurst (Va.)
- Dick Zimmer (N.J.)
