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Jimmy Williams
Former Republican Senator Jeff Flake has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, marking his latest effort to back candidates who oppose Donald Trump. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Flake expressed his support for Harris, calling her a leader who offers “hope for the future” rather than focusing on the grievances of the past.
“I’ve served with Kamala in the U.S. Senate. I’ve also served with [Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz] in the House of Representatives. I know them. I know firsthand of their fine character and love of country,” Flake said, referencing Harris’s running mate. He added that after spending three years abroad as a U.S. ambassador to Turkey, he wanted to back a candidate who understands America’s role in the global community. “We have very real enemies abroad. We also have vital and indispensable allies. I want to support a president who understands and appreciates the difference.”
Flake, a long-standing critic of Trump, has previously endorsed Democratic candidates. He notably supported President Joe Biden in 2020 and later served in his administration as ambassador to Turkey before stepping down earlier this month.
Flake’s endorsement of Harris follows a series of high-profile Republicans publicly backing the vice president. Earlier this year, Harris’s campaign unveiled endorsements from prominent anti-Trump Republicans, including former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney.
The Harris campaign has focused on building bipartisan support, particularly among disillusioned Republicans. Austin Weatherford, Harris’s National Republican Outreach Director, emphasized the success of their outreach efforts in battleground states. “Our Republicans for Harris program is taking that unifying, inspiring message to anti-Trump Republicans, moderates, and independents,” Weatherford said.
Flake’s endorsement underscores growing divisions within the Republican Party, especially regarding Trump’s influence. Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” Flake argued that many Republicans share his concerns. “It’s difficult to support a candidate who, having lost an election, tries to use the powers of the presidency to overturn that election. That is anything but respect for the rule of law,” Flake said. He urged Republicans to prioritize the rule of law and reject candidates who undermine it.
As Harris’s campaign continues to gain endorsements from anti-Trump Republicans, it remains to be seen how much these high-profile endorsements will resonate with voters in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
