First State Times

A former Democrat who has risen to national prominence as the face of the #WalkAway movement was scheduled to speak Monday night at Clayton Hall at the University of Delaware in Newark.

Brandon Straka has earned followers on social media for his decision to leave the Democratic party, which he characterizes as out of touch with small business, and not representative of all minorities.

The former New York hairstylist could be an example of what one local radio station calls the “Trump Jump.” Democratic candidates Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have said President Donald Trump’s economic policies have only served wealthy Americans, but some Census data indicate the middle class may have seen its income rise more significantly under Trump than his two predecessors.

The University of Delaware

In a widely watched YouTube video, Straka, who is originally from Nebraska, talked about what led him to reject the Democratic party. 

“Once upon a time I was a liberal, but liberalism has changed," Straka said, "and I will no longer be a part of an ideology or political party that represents everything that contradicts my values of unity, equal opportunity, personal empowerment, compassion and love, so I am walking away.”

Trump thanked Straka on Twitter.

Straka was scheduled to speak Sunday at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. As he has sought to bring his grassroots campaign to college campuses and other rallies across the country, he is supported in the effort by online donors.

“My work with #WalkAway has been the most rewarding and fulfilling work I've ever done,” Straka wrote. “It has brought me places I never dreamed I'd go, and allowed me to meet and work with some of the most interesting and dynamic people in the world. But it's far from glamorous most of the time. The majority of the work is spent in meetings, phone calls, creative planning, traveling, shooting videos, editing videos, promoting videos, and planning our next events, initiatives, and ways we can effect change.”