Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, known for her vocal opposition to Donald Trump, has announced her intention to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
Cheney made the declaration during a speech at Duke University, according to a CNN report.
Her decision, she emphasized, stems from concerns about the risks Trump poses to the country’s democratic institutions.
Cheney breaks Republican ranks, supports Harris in key battleground state
Cheney’s endorsement of Harris marks a significant departure from her Republican roots, particularly as she remains a figurehead of conservatism.
During her remarks, Cheney, who represented Wyoming in Congress, stressed the importance of casting a vote in swing states like North Carolina, where her speech took place on Wednesday.
I think it is crucially important for people to recognize, not only is what I just said about the danger that Trump poses something that should prevent people from voting for him, but I don’t believe that we have the luxury of writing in candidates’ names, particularly in swing states.
A source close to Cheney confirmed that her endorsement in North Carolina was strategic, given the state’s status as a battleground in national elections.
Cheney’s public support for Harris in such a state is seen as a call to voters who may be reluctant to support Trump but are hesitant to cross party lines.
Cheney emphasizes constitutional concerns
A staunch defender of the US Constitution, Cheney framed her decision as one rooted in preserving democratic values.
She referenced Trump’s actions following the 2020 election and his attempts to overturn the results as a critical factor in her choice.
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.
Her endorsement highlights the growing divide within the Republican Party, with many high-profile figures like Cheney taking public stances against Trump’s return to the White House.
Cheney’s disapproval of Trump’s actions following the 2020 election, including her role in the impeachment vote and her participation in the House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021, insurrection, has drawn both praise and criticism from across the political spectrum.
Harris campaign welcomes bipartisan support
The Harris campaign was quick to acknowledge Cheney’s endorsement, pointing to the increasing support the Vice President is receiving from Republicans concerned about the state of US democracy under Trump’s potential leadership.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, chair of Harris’s campaign, praised Cheney’s decision.
“The Vice President is proud to have earned Congresswoman Cheney’s vote. She is a patriot who loves this country and puts our democracy and our Constitution first,” O’Malley Dillon said in a statement.
Cheney joins other prominent Republicans, including former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger and former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, in endorsing Harris for the 2024 election.
This growing trend of bipartisan endorsements reflects the increasing polarization within the Republican Party and the broader electorate.
Cheney’s long-standing opposition to Trump
Cheney’s opposition to Trump has been consistent and vocal. The daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, she has long been critical of Trump’s efforts to undermine the 2020 election results and his role in the January 6 Capitol attack.
Her decision to vote for Trump’s impeachment and her position as vice chair of the House select committee investigating the insurrection led to her ousting from House Republican leadership in 2021.
Despite losing her congressional seat in the 2022 Republican primary to a Trump-endorsed candidate, Cheney has continued to campaign against Trump’s influence in the GOP.
In the 2022 midterm elections, she opposed Trump-backed candidates and even campaigned for moderate Democrats in key races.
A rare endorsement in a polarized political climate
Cheney’s endorsement of a Democratic vice president is notable in an era of intense political polarization.
Her decision to back Harris over Trump, particularly in swing states like North Carolina, could sway moderate Republicans and independents who share her concerns about Trump’s influence on the Republican Party and US democracy.
As the 2024 election approaches, Cheney’s endorsement underscores the ideological divides within the Republican Party and the potential for more bipartisan coalitions to emerge in the coming months.
Whether her endorsement will have a significant impact on voters in battleground states remains to be seen, but it is a clear signal of her determination to prevent Trump from returning to the White House.
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