Dad Backs Trump, Son Doesn't: They're Running for Same Seat

A father and son in Rhode Island who disagree about President Trump are running for the same office, one as a Republican, the other as an Independent. David Quiroa Sr., 47, and David Quiroa Jr., 22, both filed Tuesday to run for a state House seat currently held by a Democrat. Both live at the same address in Newport. "It'll be interesting for sure. What better way to argue with my father than on the political level?" Quiroa Jr. told the AP. "He definitely is a very good motivator. Even if it's to motivate to stop him." The father and son said they frequently talk about politics and have since the son was little. When Quiroa Sr. ran unsuccessfully for the same seat 14 years ago, he brought his son along to gather signatures.

When 2016 rolled around, Quiroa Jr. was finally old enough to vote for president and supported Hillary Clinton, while his father was an early and avid supporter of Trump. Quiroa Jr. is running as an Independent because of Trump's affiliation with the Republican Party. When the son heard his father was considering running for the seat, he decided to get involved. His father didn't take him seriously at first, he said. "He thought I was kidding initially. He thought it was an empty threat,” said Quiroa Jr. When the time came to drive to city hall to file papers, they went together. "We definitely had a lot of surprised faces," Quiroa Jr. said. "Everyone was smiling and laughing and saying 'Oh, that's so funny.' They were all flabbergasted."

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