In a notable political maneuver, Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign announced the formation of "Republicans for Harris," a coalition designed to draw support from GOP voters who are disenchanted with Donald Trump. Among the coalition's members are notable Republicans, such as former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and former Representatives Adam Kinzinger and Joe Walsh, pointed out the Chicago Sun-Times. This new group reportedly plans to send GOP endorsers on the road and utilize paid ads aimed at persuading Republican voters to support Harris in the upcoming election.
The outreach initiative is targeting Republicans, particularly those who supported Nikki Haley's bid during the GOP primary, before President Joe Biden decided not to seek re-election on July 21. In selection of GOP operatives includes names like Stephanie Grisham, former White House press secretary during the Trump administration, and Olivia Troye, ex-national security adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence, according to both the Chicago Sun-Times and The Hill.
Kinzinger, who serves on the House Jan. 6 committee, made a public endorsement stating, "I never thought I'd be endorsing a Democrat for President. But I know Vice President Harris will defend our democracy and ensure Donald Trump never returns to the White House." Kinzinger's sentiment echoes across this bipartisan initiative, urging a united front to safeguard what is perceived as the nation's democratic principles. Walsh, a one-time 2020 GOP primary challenger to Trump, remarked, "I am proud to be part of the Republicans for Harris program to ensure those in the party of Lincoln who are disgusted by the extremism, by the hatred, and by the lies put forth by Donald Trump, know that they have a place in this campaign" in a statement obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The campaign's "Republicans for Harris" initiative will not only target Arizona, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania but also include voices from Trump White House veterans who, according to the campaign, are uniquely knowledgeable about the threats posed by a potential Trump return to office. Former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and other high-profile Republican figures have expressed their backing for Vice President Harris, as reported by The Hill. Austin Weatherford, Harris’s national director of Republican outreach, culminated the sentiment of urgency by stating, "Donald Trump’s MAGA extremism is toxic to the millions of Republicans who no longer believe the party of Donald Trump represents their values and will vote against him again in November."
As the Democratic National Convention nears, scheduled to start on August 19 in Chicago, the Harris campaign is gearing up to highlight Republicans who stand against Trump and endorse Vice President Harris. The message is clear: the opposition to Trumpism within the Republican ranks is not only voiced but materially endorsed by a collective, now rallying under the banner of "Republicans for Harris."
