Vice President Harris is set to campaign in several “blue wall” suburban battleground states alongside former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney. Cheney, once a rising star in the GOP, has pledged to oppose the return of Donald Trump to power following the events of January 6, 2021. Together, Harris and Cheney will engage in a series of moderated conversations targeting suburban voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These events will be moderated by Republican strategist Sarah Longwell and conservative radio host Charlie Sykes.
The Harris campaign aims to attract disaffected Republican voters who are hesitant to support Trump in the upcoming election. Cheney, who previously spoke in support of Harris in Wisconsin, has become Harris’ most prominent conservative surrogate. Despite facing backlash from Trump and his allies for voting to impeach him following the Capitol riot, Cheney remains outspoken in her belief in prioritizing country over party. She has warned of the dangers Trump poses to democracy and has publicly endorsed Harris for president.
Cheney’s stance against Trump has led to her alienation within the Republican Party, resulting in her loss in the GOP congressional primary in Wyoming to a Trump-backed candidate. However, she remains steadfast in her criticism of Trump and continues to advocate for the defense of democratic values. At recent campaign events, Cheney has emphasized the importance of choosing patriotism over partisanship and has condemned Trump’s behavior as unfit for leadership.
Harris has garnered support from over 200 alumni who served in both Bush administrations and from prominent Republicans such as John McCain and Mitt Romney. Additionally, she has the backing of more than 100 Republican former national security officials. At a campaign event in Pennsylvania, Harris was joined by anti-Trump Republicans including former Rep. Adam Kinzinger to attract GOP voters. The Trump campaign has responded to these efforts, dismissing the support from former Republicans and criticizing Harris’ policies on immigration and national security.
As the 2024 election campaign heats up, Harris and Cheney’s collaboration reflects a broader effort within the Democratic Party to appeal to moderate Republican voters and present a united front against the Trump-led GOP. Despite facing backlash from within her own party, Cheney remains committed to her stance against Trump and the threat he poses to democracy. With the support of prominent Republicans, Harris is positioning herself as a candidate capable of bridging partisan divides and leading the country in a direction that prioritizes unity and democracy.
