The Kamala Harris campaign has launched “Republicans for Harris,” a group comprising Never-Trump Republicans who’ve decided they’d rather back a Democrat than see President Trump return to the Oval Office. These Republicans are none too happy with President Trump’s “MAGA extremism” and have found common cause with Harris, whom they believe represents a chance to restore decency and defend democracy.
Austin Weatherford, the national director of Republican outreach for the Harris campaign, put it bluntly: “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.”
Who are these renegade Republicans, you ask? The list reads like a who’s who of Trump critics: Adam Kinzinger, Stephanie Grisham, Geoff Duncan, and Joe Walsh are just a few of the names that stand out. Their endorsement of Harris is a clear signal that the rift within the Republican Party is deeper than ever, with some members willing to cross party lines in a bid to thwart Trump’s comeback.
Geoff Duncan, the former Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, has been particularly vocal. President Trump didn’t mince words in his response, taking to Truth Social to blast Duncan and others who’ve defected. “We have to purge the Party of people that go against our Candidates, and make it harder for a popular Republican President to beat the Radical Left Lunatics. Geoff Duncan is a loser who is disintegrating on his own,” Trump declared, adding a congratulatory note to Josh McKoon for “purging our Party of Misfits.”
Here is a more concise list for easy reference:
- Former Trump White House officials:
- Stephanie Grisham
- Olivia Troye
- Former Secretaries:
- Chuck Hagel
- Ray LaHood
- Former Governors:
- Jim Edgar
- Bill Weld
- Christine Todd Whitman
- Former Lt. Governor:
- Geoff Duncan
- Former members of Congress:
- Rod Chandler
- Tom Coleman
- Dave Emery
- Wayne Gilchrest
- Jim Greenwood
- Adam Kinzinger
- John LeBoutillier
- Susan Molinari
- Jack Quinn
- Denver Riggleman
- Claudine Schneider
- Christopher Shays
- Peter Smith
- Alan Steelman
- David Trott
- Joe Walsh
- Mesa, Arizona Mayor:
- John Giles
- Former GOP State Chair and State Senator:
- Chris Vance
- Young Republicans for Harris:
- Reed Howard
- Former RNC delegate:
- Rina Shah
From the Harris campaign: Launch of Republicans for Harris. pic.twitter.com/dfhZWUGXRP
— Byron York (@ByronYork) August 4, 2024
This development adds another layer of complexity to what promises to be a nail-biting election season. Harris’s campaign, already buoyed by her takeover of Joe Biden’s delegates and donor network, now has the backing of a faction of disillusioned Republicans. It’s a move that could potentially broaden her appeal beyond the Democratic base and capture the votes of moderates and independents who are weary of President Trump’s polarizing presence.
But let’s not kid ourselves—Harris faces an uphill battle. She’s often criticized as being too liberal, and her tenure as the most liberal United States senator has not endeared her to the conservative base.
Leave a Comment