Nearly three months into the new administration, Copan considers himself a “Biden Republican,” relieved by the new president's calmer leadership style.
National News
Apr 12, 2021
In this April 8, 2021, photo Tom Rawles poses for a photo in Carefree, Ariz. Rawles is an ex-Republican county supervisor in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix and was critical in Biden carrying swing-state Arizona. After voting for Biden, Rawles registered as a Democrat. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Jay Copan doesn’t hide his disregard for the modern Republican Party.
A solid Republican voter for the past four decades, the 69-year-old quickly regretted casting his 2016 ballot for Donald Trump. When Trump was up for reelection last year, Copan appeared on roadside billboards across North Carolina, urging other Republicans to back Democratic rival Joe Biden.
Will Weissert
In this April 9, 2021, photo Jay Copan poses for a photo at his home in Raleigh, N.C. Copan voted for Donald Trump in 2016 but so regretted it that he posed for a billboard opposing the reelection of his party s own president. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) April 12, 2021 - 3:17 AM
RALEIGH, N.C. - Jay Copan doesn t hide his disregard for the modern Republican Party.
A solid Republican voter for the past four decades, the 69-year-old quickly regretted casting his 2016 ballot for Donald Trump. When Trump was up for reelection last year, Copan appeared on roadside billboards across North Carolina, urging other Republicans to back Democratic rival Joe Biden.
Some in GOP open to President Biden s agenda click2houston.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from click2houston.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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“If there’s any Republicans voting for Biden, they were not voting for Biden they’re just ‘Never Trumpers,’” said Phillip Stephens, a former Democrat who is now Republican vice chairman in Robeson County, about 90 miles south of Raleigh. The county twice voted for Barack Obama but went for Trump in 2016 and again last year.
In Biden’s early months, Stephens sees the president catering more to the left than to conservative Democratic voters.
During last year’s campaign, Biden at times courted Republicans at the risk of alienating the Democratic left. Several prominent Republicans got speaking positions during the Democratic National Convention, such as former Ohio Gov. John Kasich.