Vice President Kamala Harris is actively seeking the support of disgruntled Republicans in her bid to defeat former President Trump in the 2024 presidential election. She recently teamed up with former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney in Ripon, Wisconsin, which claims to be the birthplace of the GOP. Cheney, once a rising star in the conservative party, has taken a strong stance against Trump since the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. She has vowed to prevent Trump from returning to power and has publicly endorsed Harris, stating that she is casting her vote for the Democrat nominee this year. Harris praised Cheney as a true patriot who puts country above party and self.
Cheney’s support for Harris comes after she faced backlash from Trump and his allies for voting to impeach Trump for inciting the Capitol riot. Despite being ousted from her leadership position in the House GOP, Cheney has continued to emphasize the importance of upholding democratic processes and putting country before party. She warned that Trump poses a unique threat to the nation’s republic and should never be trusted with power again. Cheney’s endorsement of Harris underscores the growing divide within the Republican Party over Trump’s leadership and the direction of the party.
While Cheney was not always a fan of Harris, she has now aligned herself with the Vice President in opposition to Trump. Trump has criticized Cheney as a “stupid war hawk” and dismissed her endorsement of Harris as harmful to both of them. The Cheneys join a growing list of prominent Republicans who are supporting Harris in the 2024 election. Other anti-Trump Republicans, such as former Rep. Adam Kinzinger and former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, have also spoken out against Trump and supported Harris. Additionally, Harris is backed by hundreds of Republican former officials, including those who served under Bush, McCain, and Romney.
The town of Ripon, Wisconsin, claims to be the birthplace of the GOP, citing historic meetings held in 1854 that led to the formation of the Republican Party. Exeter, New Hampshire, also lays claim to this title, with meetings held in 1853 by disenchanted political leaders discussing the formation of a new party. However, Ripon officials argue that their town’s gatherings resulted in the formation of a political organization, setting them apart from Exeter. Wisconsin is among several battleground states with narrow margins that determined Biden’s victory in 2020 and are likely to influence the outcome of the 2024 election.
With less than five weeks until Election Day, Harris and Trump are neck and neck in the key swing states. The support of even a small number of Republicans for Harris could have a significant impact on the outcome of the election, given the close margins in these states. Harris is positioning herself as a candidate who will uphold democratic values and unity, contrasting with Trump’s divisive and controversial leadership style. The division within the Republican Party over Trump’s influence and the future direction of the party is evident in Cheney’s endorsement of Harris and the growing list of prominent Republicans supporting the Vice President.
