Former state Rep. Michael Wray has an odd way of running in a Democratic primary.

He posted on Facebook, “Are you a Republican that (sic) wants to vote for Michael Wray?”

Here’s how, he said: “You can temporarily change your party affiliation to UNAFFILIATED, but you must do so BEFORE FEBRUARY 6TH. If you make the switch, remember that on election day, you must ask for a Democratic ballot in order to vote for Michael.”

During 10 terms in the House – before he lost the primary in 2024 – Wray frequently voted with Republicans.

Now, he wants Republicans to pretend to be Democratic voters – so he can pretend to be a Democratic legislator.

He’s running against incumbent Rep. Rodney Pierce, who beat Wray by 34 votes in the 2024 primary in House District 27 – Halifax, Northampton and Warren Counties.

Wray argues that, by voting for Republican budgets, he won special appropriations for his district.

But those budgets hurt public schools and healthcare in the district, which has a lot of poor and financially pressed people.

Wray put pork-barrel ahead of public schools and public health.

Rep. Pierce is highly regarded by House Democrats for his hard work in the legislature and in his district.

Full disclosure: I met him – and was impressed by him – when he presided last month at the dedication of a historical marker for my wife’s late aunt, Mebane Holoman Burgwyn.

We agreed to be sponsors of an upcoming fundraiser for Pierce.

If you’d like to help him, you can donate here.

If Wray wants Republican support, he can run as a Republican.

Maybe Trump will endorse him.