Former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, will be joining Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign event in Ripon, Wisconsin, the birthplace of the Republican Party. This event marks Cheney’s first time campaigning for Harris, as part of a broader effort by the Democratic ticket to appeal to Republicans disillusioned with former President Donald Trump. Cheney, who endorsed Harris last month in North Carolina, stated that she will not be voting for Trump due to the threat he poses to the Constitution. Her father, Dick Cheney, also announced his support for Harris, calling Trump the greatest threat to the Republic in history.
Following the endorsements from the Cheneys, Trump criticized them on Truth Social, calling Dick Cheney an “irrelevant RINO” and suggesting Liz Cheney should be prosecuted for her role in investigating the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. Ripon, where the campaign event will take place, played a historical role in the foundation and naming of the Republican Party in 1854. Harris plans to recognize the party’s founding principles in an event emphasizing the importance of upholding the Constitution and the rule of law. Harris has been a vocal critic of Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election, denouncing any suggestion of terminating the Constitution.
The Harris campaign has been successful in gaining the support of high-profile Republicans such as former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Jimmy McCain, the son of the late Sen. John McCain, and former Sen. Jeff Flake. Flake, in his endorsement, emphasized the importance of using the political process for debate and persuasion rather than demonization. The campaign has also established the Wisconsin Republicans for Harris-Walz coalition, with the support of 24 conservatives from the state, including former elected officials and state representatives. These Republicans view Trump as not aligning with Wisconsin values and believe electing Harris and Walz is crucial for the strength of democracy and the economy.
In addition to Cheney’s endorsement, the Harris campaign has received support from over 200 former staffers of previous Republican presidents George W. Bush, John McCain, and Mitt Romney. The willingness of prominent Republicans to break ranks and support the Democratic ticket highlights the ongoing division within the Republican Party between those still loyal to Trump and those who have taken a stand against him. The support from prominent figures like Cheney, Kinzinger, and Flake adds credibility to the Harris-Walz ticket’s efforts to appeal to a broader base of voters beyond party lines. The campaign’s strategy of courting disaffected Republicans and emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic values and the rule of law appears to be resonating with conservative voters dissatisfied with Trump’s presidency.
