Florida Rep. Curt Clawson explains unusual vote

For the first time, U.S. Congressman Curt Clawson is speaking out about why he voted for a senator to fill the Speaker of the House position. Clawson voted for Senator Rand Paul earlier this week.

According to Rep. Clawson, you can technically vote for anyone you want. Typically when voting for the position, most members choose the leader of their own party. When Clawson broke away from that norm, it caught everyone’s attention.

“I was hoping that it would be a meaningful, symbolic gesture, a symbolic vote, of an outsider for an outsider,” said Clawson.

He broke away from his party and voted for Senator Rand Paul, a vote that some people in Southwest Florida felt was a waste.

“Didn’t seem to be a proper, responsible job for the people he’s representing,” said one resident.

“Well I think the speaker won with an overwhelming majority, so I probably disagree with that,” said Clawson.

He says he hope his vote sends a message to Washington, especially during a time when he believes Republicans are split on too many issues.

“We have to be a team, and it’s got to be a broad team, and I think view points from a lot of different folks is a good thing.”

Senator Rand hasn’t directly addressed Clawson’s vote.

Tuesday night, he told CNN he understands the frustration from some of the Republicans who voted against Speaker John Boehner.

“I’m for using the power of the purse. I think most conservatives that were unhappy in the House, want to use the power of the purse.”

“I’m hopeful that by not having retribution in our party, that we can show the diversity of opinions is okay,” said Clawson.