Michael Taylor, the Republican mayor of Sterling Heights, Michigan's fourth-largest city, has endorsed Joe Biden for president, marking a significant cross-party gesture ahead of the state's Democratic primary. Taylor announced his decision on Twitter, writing that he cannot support Donald Trump and urging others to join him in voting for Biden.
Taylor explained his change of heart, telling the Chicago Tribune that he voted for Trump in 2016 despite reservations, but now believes the president is “more deranged” than he initially thought. He described Biden as the candidate who can unify Democrats and appeal to moderates and Republicans seeking an alternative to Trump.
Sterling Heights is located in Macomb County, a historically working-class area that backed Barack Obama twice before flipping to Trump in 2016. The endorsement underscores Biden's appeal to disaffected Republican voters in key swing states like Michigan, which offers 125 delegates in the primary.
Biden currently leads Bernie Sanders in Michigan polls following his strong performance on Super Tuesday. Sanders, who won the state in 2016, faces challenges in attracting moderate and independent voters, a gap that Taylor's endorsement highlights.
Biden has faced local criticism for a 2018 endorsement of Republican congressman Fred Upton, who used Biden's praise in campaign ads. However, the former vice-president remains the frontrunner ahead of Tuesday's vote.
