Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is just one of many former Republican administration officials to back Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. | AP Photo Colin Powell says he's voting for Hillary Clinton

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell plans to vote for Hillary Clinton, his staff confirmed on Tuesday.

Powell's announcement, which came at a Long Island Association luncheon, is the latest example of Republicans who are ditching their own party’s nominee.


But his move isn't a complete surprise: Powell, a retired four-star general who served as secretary of state under President George W. Bush, endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.

He recently engaged in a public spat with Clinton over her email habits -- denying that he had advised her to set up a private server.

"Her people have been trying to pin it on me," Powell complained in August.

Powell's private advice to Clinton was made public in early September as part of the FBI's release of documents compiled for its investigation into Clinton's handling of classified information.