Republican Michigan State Sen. Mike Shirkey, who previously served as state campaign chair for Dr. Ben Carson, announced Thursday he was switching his support to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).
“His story is compelling. His ability to communicate is outstanding,” he said. “His principles very closely align with mine. And his ability to connect and inspire, once the field clears, will hopefully bring some much needed healing to our party and to our country.”
Carson announced Wednesday he would not participate in Thursday night’s presidential debate in Detroit, saying he saw no political path forward for his campaign. He has yet to officially suspend his campaign.
Michigan voters will go to the polls Tuesday in an open primary with 59 delegates at stake. The most recent poll shows GOP front-runner Donald Trump leading by 20 points there.
