Ripon, Wisconsin — Former Rep. Liz Cheney, a prominent Republican, publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris while campaigning together in Ripon, Wisconsin, known as the birthplace of the Republican Party.
“I am proudly casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris,” Cheney declared Thursday.
In September, Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, revealed their support for Harris. Despite differing views on various policies, both the Cheneys and Harris share a strong opposition to former President Donald Trump, viewing him as a threat to democracy following the January 6 Capitol riot.
During the rally, Harris commended Cheney, stating, “Liz Cheney really is a leader who puts country above party and above self, a true patriot. It is my profound honor to have your support. You and I also want to thank your father, Vice President Dick Cheney, for his support and what he has done to serve our country.”
Cheney previously held a high-ranking Republican position in the House before losing her seat due to her vote to impeach Trump, which was supported by a Trump-backed challenger. She served on the House select committee investigating the January 6th events, which recommended prosecuting Trump for his actions related to the Capitol riot.
“As a conservative who values the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this. Because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, I will be voting for Kamala Harris,” Chenery stated at a prior event at Duke University.
The Little White Schoolhouse in Ripon, which played a significant role in the formation of the Republican Party in 1854, hosted the rally. The site was designated a national historic site in 1974, and Harris is anticipated to discuss its historical importance during her speech.
Cheney’s endorsement is part of Harris’s broader campaign strategy to attract disillusioned Republicans. On Wednesday, the campaign released a new advertisement featuring a two-time Trump voter from Pennsylvania who criticized Trump’s economic policies.
Additionally, the campaign is organizing “Republicans for Harris” events across battleground states, including appearances by former Reps. Denver Riggleman in North Carolina and Adam Kinzinger in Las Vegas. Both men were part of the House January 6 committee.
During the vice presidential debate, Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, highlighted Cheney’s endorsement, emphasizing the diverse coalition supporting Harris: “I’m as surprised as anybody by this coalition that Kamala Harris has built, from Bernie Sanders to Dick Cheney.”
Though the number of conservative voters supporting Harris remains small, a September CBS News poll indicated that moderate voters favor her over Trump by significant margins.
Several Republicans, including Kinzinger and Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, spoke at the Democratic National Convention in August, contributing to Harris’s campaign support. Duncan, who has been active as a surrogate for the campaign, commented on Trump’s diminishing support among Republicans, noting that most would prefer a different nominee.
Voter sentiments also reveal a desire for authentic outreach, as expressed by Kate Horning, an undecided voter from Pennsylvania who previously supported Trump but is keen on genuine engagement on issues beyond party lines, such as immigration and education.
Since becoming the nominee, Harris has aimed to connect with centrists by endorsing bipartisan immigration restrictions, promoting her pro-business stance, and clarifying her position on fracking, which she initially opposed during her 2020 campaign but adapted after partnering with President Biden.