It’s a truism that anyone able to get elected to political office is probably therefore unfit to serve.

Still, on occasion, a politician surprises. Big kudos to Republican New York State Senator Roy McDonald, who this week departed from party lines to vote for marriage equality. I was impressed by the move, as it’s one I agree with already, but even more impressed by how he explained the switch, which would have won me over regardless:

You get to the point where you evolve in your life where everything isn’t black and white, good and bad, and you try to do the right thing.

You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, fuck it, I don’t care what you think. I’m trying to do the right thing.

I’m tired of Republican-Democrat politics. They can take the job and shove it. I come from a blue-collar background. I’m trying to do the right thing, and that’s where I’m going with this.

If I lived in his district, this guy would definitely have my vote.