A former agent of the United States Central Intelligence Agency, Evan McMullin has announced his bid to provide a presidential option for conservatives who do not want to vote for Republican nominee Donald Trump. McMullin is a former chief policy director of the House Republican Conference, and believes neither Trump not Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton serve the interests of US citizens.
“In a year where Americans have lost faith in the candidates of both major parties, it’s time for a generation of new leadership to step up,” McMullin said, according to The Guardian. “It’s never too late to do the right thing.”
He will file his papers as an independent candidate on Monday, the BBC reported.
A letter on his website, Evanmcmullin.com, lists his past experience in policy-making and his work with the CIA, and adds, “My service has given me unique, firsthand knowledge of the threats our nation faces, the burdens borne by hardworking Americans, and the numerous areas of our government that desperately need reform.”
The letter goes on to call Clinton a “corrupt career politician”, and says “Donald Trump appeals to the worst fears of Americans at a time when [the people of the US] need unity.” He ends by saying he can “no longer stand on the sidelines” and has “decided to pursue the cause of American renewal and the Presidency of the United States of America.”
McMullin is supported by the Never Trump movement, a group of anti-Trump activists. He resigned from his Republican House Conference post on Monday. However, he is expected to face several hurdles with ballot deadlines and funds, with the elections scheduled for November 8.
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