Former N.J. Governor Tom Kean will skip Republican convention

TRENTON, N.J., July 13 (UPI) -- Former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean will skip his first Republican convention in more than 50 years, due to his refusal to support Donald Trump as his party's nominee.

Kean joins a list of prominent GOP figures who will be skipping next week's convention in Cleveland for the same reason. Fellow former NJ Governor Christie Whitman, 2012 party nominee Mitt Romney and both former presidents Bush have made their discontent with Trump known.

Kean, 81, widely respected for his moderate views and ability to find common ground, will be a notable absentee. Though he has met and likes both Trump and Hillary Clinton personally, he has said he can't vote for either one of them.

Trump, Kean says, is too volatile and should "listen to people and stop tweeting at 11 o'clock at night." He also believes Clinton has a "good heart," but is reluctant to give her his vote because he thinks she is "so contrived that it comes across as phony."

Kean said his problems with both candidates might keep him from voting for president in November.

"I'd like to support the nominee of my party but I really don't know," Kean said. "If it comes to the point where you disagree on too many issues, you can't vote for him."

Current N.J. Governor Chris Christie appears to have a different view of Trump. He is currently onl the short list of candidates to be Trump's running mate. The pick is expected to be announced on Friday.