GAINESVILLE — A Gainesville attorney, considered to be one of the state's most prominent black Republicans, Monday announced he has switched allegiance in the upcoming presidential race.
Ashley Bell initially supported Kentucky Senator Rand Paul for the GOP nomination for president, even bringing him to Atlanta to test the political waters for support before Paul announced a run for the presidency.
Now, though, Bell has decided to support Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
In a statement to AccessWDUN, Bell called Rubio "the right messenger for our party's message of peace through strength, free markets and a society of free people capable of living out their God-given potential."
Bell also told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that he wished Paul well, saying he is a "good man" who is "right on the issues." However, Bell told the newspaper he felt that Rubio had the ability to "speak to the largest segment of the American people."
In addition, Bell told AccessWDUN that "this will be the first election in several cycles where the Republicans have the opportunity to be the party of the future versus what will be the Clinton campaign of the past."
Bell, who once served on the Hall County Commission, made the move from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party five years ago.
Editor's note: Ashley Bell is a weekly co-host on WDUN's Morning Talk.
