Debra Messing defended her decision to support Trump-backed Republican Bruce Blakeman for governor of New York on Tuesday.The "Will & Grace" actress wrote in a lengthy Instagram post that while she has been a Democrat her whole life and for years her focus has been on voting rights, the gay community and gun control, she is increasingly concerned about the quality of life in New York City."I still stand by every one of those principles," the 58-year-old said, adding, "What has changed is how I feel about the city and state I love dearly."DEBRA MESSING DITCHES DEMOCRAT FOR TRUMP-BACKED REPUBLICAN AS SHE SOUNDS ALARM OVER NEW YORKDebra Messing has endorsed Bruce Blakeman for New York governor.(Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)In the past, Messing has supported candidates like former President Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and Cynthia Nixon before she endorsed the Republican Nassau County executive.
And she has frequently criticized President Donald Trump."I know I’m not someone choosing between rent and groceries.But many of the people who make New York what it is: small business owners, teachers, nurses, and young people trying to start their lives here, are struggling with the rising cost of living, and policies like congestion pricing are making it difficult to afford," she wrote.She said when the people who live in the city can’t afford to live there, "we risk losing part of what has long made New York an extraordinary place of opportunity."GET ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL BY CLICKING HEREMessing explained that she has also become "increasingly concerned about public safety," saying that the "violence we see on our streets and subways frightens me.Debra Messing explained she had decided to vote for a Republican because of her concerns about safety and affordability.
(John Lamparski/Getty Images)VIOLENT TRANSIT ATTACKS IN ATLANTA, NEW YORK AND CHARLOTTE FUEL CALLS FOR TOUGHER TRACKING OF REPEAT OFFENDERSExplaining that she voted for New York ...