Disaffected Democrat, former police chief joins GOP for congressional run

A former police chief in New York and long time Democratic voter is running for Congress as a Republican after growing weary anti-police position his former party has taken.

La'Ron Singletary, who is running to represent New York's 25th Congressional District, told the Daily Wire that he is no longer able to support the Democratic Party due to the "demonization, the demoralization, and the defunding the police rhetoric," which he says have been coupled with other problematic ideologies.

"The Democratic Party was no longer the party that I knew it to be, and no longer the party of my parents. We live in a country that allows us to change political parties if we no longer agree with the party's beliefs," he also said.

The former police chief initially caught the public's attention when he stood up to former Rochester Democrat Mayor Lovely Warren, who accused the chief of mishandling the racially charged death of Daniel Prude, a black male.

Singletary and his entire command staff resigned in protest of Warren's accusations. Warren then fired Singletary after his resignation. At the time, Singletary said, "As a man of integrity, I will not sit idly by while outside entities attempt to destroy my character." 

Singletary later sued Warren and the city of Rochester for defamation of character, wrongful retaliatory termination, and creating a hostile work environment.

The suit was settled in February, and Singletary was awarded $75,000 and the restoration of his health benefits.

"For me, it was about the principle of the matter and clearing my name. You only have one reputation and when it’s under attack, you must stand up and fight, especially when you are right," he said.

Singletary also told the Daily Wire that despite being raised in a blue-voting household, he's always held conservative values.

"I grew up in the church and my parents ingrained in me that if you work hard, you can accomplish anything," he said.