Former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, announced that she will vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. Cheney, who represented Wyoming and served on the committee investigating the Capitol riot, cited the danger she believes Trump poses as her reason for supporting Harris. Cheney’s statement was met with applause at Duke University where she made the announcement, and she emphasized the importance of voting strategically to defeat Trump at the ballot box.
Despite calls for Trump to be disqualified from the ballot due to his actions related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states cannot remove him from the ballot. Cheney previously stated that she believed Trump should be disqualified and expressed confidence that he could be defeated at the ballot box. Her endorsement of Harris for president further solidifies her stance against Trump and her commitment to upholding conservative values and the Constitution.
The Harris-Walz 2024 campaign chair, Jen O’Malley Dillon, expressed appreciation for Cheney’s support, noting that Harris is proud to have earned her vote. Cheney is just one of many Republicans who have recently announced their support for Harris, including more than 200 Republicans who worked for former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, as well as Senators John McCain and Mitt Romney. These Republicans argue that democracy is at risk under another Trump administration and are urging moderate Republicans and independents to join their coalition to defend American values.
Several Republicans who have spoken out against Trump’s leadership and personality have endorsed Harris, including Olivia Troye, a former adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, Stephanie Grisham, one of Trump’s press secretaries, and former Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. They have raised concerns about the impact of another Trump presidency on the country and encourage voters to reject chaos and division by supporting Harris and her vision for a new way forward. Their voices add to the growing number of Republicans distancing themselves from the former president and aligning with the Democratic ticket.
In the lead-up to the election, Cheney’s announcement highlights the division within the Republican Party over Trump’s role and influence. Her decision to support Harris underscores the deep concerns many Republicans have about Trump’s impact on democracy and national security. The endorsement from Cheney, along with other prominent Republicans, signals a shift in the political landscape as more members of the GOP are willing to break ranks and support candidates from across the aisle. It remains to be seen how this will impact the outcome of the election and the future of the Republican Party as a whole.
