Lindsey Graham announces McMullin vote

by Mallory Shelbourne - 11/08/16 4:29 PM ET

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) announced Tuesday that he voted for independent candidate Evan McMullin for president.

Graham tweeted his support for McMullin amid a series of tweets Tuesday afternoon, praising the former CIA officer for his “views on a strong America and the need to rebuild our military.”

I enthusiastically cast my ballot for my friend and colleague @VoteTimScott and other down-ballot Republicans running for office. #1

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 8, 2016

In the prez race, voting for Hillary Clinton was always a non-starter and I couldn’t go where Donald Trump wanted to take the USA & GOP. #2

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 8, 2016

I voted @Evan_McMullin for President. I appreciate his views on a strong America and the need to rebuild our military. #3

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 8, 2016

{mosads}Graham, who focused on foreign policy and national security in his Republican presidential bid before dropping out last December, was one of the first elected GOP officials to criticize his party’s nominee, Donald Trump.

During a feud in 2015, Trump gave out Graham’s personal cellphone number during a rally in the senator’s home state.

Graham has also been critical of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton throughout the election cycle, repeatedly saying Republicans needed to stop her from winning the White House.

Other GOP senators have declined to support their party’s nominee, with lawmakers such as Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) saying they wouldn’t vote for either major-party candidate.

Sen. Jeff Flake (R), an outspoken critic of Trump, said last week that it was a “possibility” that he would vote for McMullin. The Arizona senator said Tuesday that he would “sustain and support whomever is elected” president.

Updated: 5:06 p.m.

Tags Donald Trump Hillary Clinton Jeff Flake Lindsey Graham Susan Collins