Sitting Democrat State Senator Paul Wojno crossed party lines and endorsed Republican Secretary of State nominee Anthony Forlini. Wojno endorsed alongside Macomb County Commissioner Harold Haugh and Former State Representatives Richard LeBlanc and Marilyn Lane. In addition, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham endorsed separately. All of these current and former officials are Democrats. Anthony Forlini is currently in his second term as Macomb County Clerk.

The main surprise endorsement for Forlini comes after Paul Wojno endorsed Haley Stevens for U.S. Senate and Jocelyn Benson for Governor. This appears to be the first time Senator Wojno has endorsed any Republican since first running for office in 1997. In the Democratic Senate caucus in Michigan, Wojno is one of the most moderate members.

In a video, Senator Paul Wojno offered a compliment to Forlini. Wojno said, “It’s people over politics, and that’s why I’m endorsing Tony Forlini for Secretary of State.” The Democrat nominee for Secretary of State, Garlin Gilchirst II, is Lieutenant Governor and the President of Wojno’s legislative chamber.

Sheriff Anthony Wickersham recorded a video as well. Macomb County voters have left Wickersham and County Executive Mark Hackel as the only Democrats in countywide office. Macomb County has long served as a presidential bellwether.

Wickersham shared Wojno’s sentiments: “Tony Forlini is an honest man with integrity. He does the right thing, and he puts people first.” These endorsements could prove to be big for Anthony Forlini to run up the score in Michigan’s largest Republican county. Anthony Wickersham won his fourth term for Sheriff in a county President Donald Trump won by 13.7 percent.