Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has launched a new initiative titled “Republicans for Harris” in an effort to win over Republican voters who are disillusioned with former President Donald Trump. The program, described as a “campaign within a campaign,” will involve using well-known Republicans to activate their networks, with a focus on primary voters who supported former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Events for the program are set to kick off in Arizona, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania this week, with Republicans backing Harris appearing at rallies alongside the vice president and her soon-to-be-announced running mate.
The goal of the “Republicans for Harris” initiative is to create a “permission structure” for GOP voters who may have reservations about voting for Harris. The campaign plans to rely heavily on Republican-to-Republican voter contact, believing that hearing directly from other Republicans who support Harris will be the most effective way to sway GOP voters. Harris’ national director of Republican outreach, Austin Weatherford, stated that Trump’s extremism is alienating many Republicans who no longer feel represented by the current Republican Party and are looking for a candidate who prioritizes country over party.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a prominent Republican who endorsed the Biden-Harris ticket in the past, is once again backing Harris as part of the launch of the “Republicans for Harris” program. Kinzinger, who played a key role in the House committee that investigated the January 6th Capitol attack, explained his decision to support Harris by stating that he believes she will defend democracy and prevent Trump from returning to the White House. The campaign has also enlisted the support of other notable Republicans, including former Govs. Bill Weld and Christine Todd Whitman, former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, and several former Republican members of Congress who have been critical of Trump.
The “Republicans for Harris” initiative comes at a time when Trump continues to alienate moderate Republican voters, with recent attacks against Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp highlighting the growing divide within the party. The campaign’s strategy includes leveraging the criticisms of former Trump staffers and highlighting Trump’s personal attacks against Nikki Haley, who still garnered significant support from Republican voters even after dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. The effort to court Republican voters reflects a broader attempt by the Harris campaign to appeal to a diverse range of voters as they look ahead to the 2024 election.
Former Trump press secretary Stephanie Grisham is among the Republicans endorsing Harris, citing her belief that Harris will fight for freedom, protect democracy, and represent America with honor on the world stage. The campaign’s approach of enlisting prominent Republicans who have previously criticized Trump signals a strategic effort to position Harris as a viable alternative for GOP voters who are seeking a change from the divisive politics of the past. As the campaign ramps up its outreach efforts, the “Republicans for Harris” program aims to build a coalition of Republican supporters who are willing to put aside party loyalty in favor of a candidate who they believe will prioritize the best interests of the American people.
