Additional Coverage:
In Washington, a group of over 200 Republicans, previously affiliated with notable GOP figures such as former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W.
Bush, Senators John McCain and Mitt Romney, have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. They expressed concerns that a return of Donald Trump to the presidency would severely endanger democratic values.
In their statement, reported first by USA Today, these Republicans acknowledged their ideological differences with Vice President Harris and Governor Walz but argued that the alternative would be a risk too great to accept. They emphasized the deleterious impact of what they characterized as Trump’s unstable leadership on both the populace and foundational democratic institutions.
These Republicans, having issued a similar endorsement in 2020, appealed to moderate Republicans and independents in swing states—voters instrumental in electing President Biden—to courageously support democracy again.
The backdrop to this announcement was a series of disavowing speeches by several Republicans at the recent Democratic National Convention, directly criticizing Trump’s governance and character traits.
Among the critics, Stephanie Grisham, a former Trump press secretary and advisor to Melania Trump, unequivocally endorsed Harris, denouncing Trump’s lack of empathy and honesty, and revealing disparaging remarks Trump allegedly made about his own supporters. Another prominent Republican voice, Olivia Troye, a former advisor to Vice President Mike Pence, criticized Trump’s strategy of fostering division to secure political victory, urging voters that supporting Harris equates to a vote for democratic integrity rather than a betrayal of Republican values.
Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger also expressed his support for Harris, praising her commitment to the rule of law, the Constitution, and democratic principles over single-issue policy disagreements, emphasizing the importance of character and nation over politics.