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Jimmy Williams
Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, a prominent voice against former President Donald Trump, officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday, joining her at a campaign event in Ripon, Wisconsin.
Cheney’s endorsement is a significant crossover in a deeply divided political landscape, as she emphasized her support for democracy and opposition to Trump’s influence over the Republican Party.
“I am proudly casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris,” Cheney told the crowd gathered at Ripon, the birthplace of the Republican Party.
This marks the first major event where Cheney, once the third-ranking Republican in the House, publicly campaigned alongside Harris. She was joined by her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, in expressing support for the Democratic ticket in September. While the Cheneys and Harris hold vastly different views on policy, their shared opposition to Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack has united them.
At the rally, Harris praised Cheney for prioritizing country over party. “Liz Cheney is a leader who puts country above party and above self, a true patriot,” Harris said, adding her gratitude for both Liz and Dick Cheney’s service to the nation.
Cheney’s opposition to Trump has been clear since she voted to impeach him following the January 6th insurrection. A staunch conservative, Cheney lost her primary election to a Trump-backed candidate after her impeachment vote. She later served on the House Jan. 6 select committee, which recommended criminal charges against Trump for his role in the insurrection.
“As a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this. And because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris,” Cheney stated at a previous event.
Cheney’s appearance with Harris is part of the Harris campaign’s broader strategy to attract Republicans disillusioned by Trump. The campaign has actively sought support from prominent Republicans like former Reps. Adam Kinzinger and Denver Riggleman, who also opposed Trump after Jan. 6. Harris’ campaign is hosting “Republicans for Harris” events across battleground states to reach voters dissatisfied with Trump’s leadership.
During Tuesday’s vice presidential debate, Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, referenced Cheney’s endorsement to highlight the bipartisan coalition backing their campaign. “Kamala Harris has built a coalition from Bernie Sanders to Dick Cheney to Taylor Swift,” Walz said. “They may not agree on everything, but they are truly optimistic about the future of our country.”
While Cheney’s endorsement is a rare move, it reflects a growing sentiment among moderate and conservative voters who oppose Trump’s return to power. Polls show Harris leading Trump among moderates, though her outreach to Republicans remains a significant part of her 2024 campaign strategy.
Cheney’s decision to campaign in Ripon — a historic site where the Republican Party was founded — added symbolic weight to the event, as she emphasized that her support for Harris comes from a deep concern for preserving democracy.
With just weeks to go before Election Day, Harris and Cheney’s partnership sends a message that the 2024 election is about more than party loyalty — it’s about the future of American democracy.
