Former Republican Representative Liz Cheney announced her endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for President during an event at Duke University on Wednesday. Cheney, known for her fierce criticism of former President Donald Trump, cited the ongoing threat she believes Trump poses to American democracy as her primary reason for crossing party lines.
Cheney, who co-chaired the House investigation into the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, stated, “As a conservative who cares deeply about the Constitution, I believe the danger Donald Trump represents is too great. Not only am I not voting for Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris.” This endorsement marks a significant moment in Cheney’s political journey, as she was ousted in her 2022 Republican primary in Wyoming due to her opposition to Trump.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris’ campaign chair, responded by saying, “The Vice President is proud to have earned Congresswoman Cheney’s vote. Liz Cheney is a patriot who puts our democracy and Constitution first.”
Cheney joins a growing list of prominent Republicans, including former Representatives Adam Kinzinger and Denver Riggleman, who have publicly backed Harris. Additionally, more than 200 alumni from the Bush administration and former Republican presidential campaigns have endorsed Harris in recent weeks.
Cheney’s endorsement underscores the deep divisions within the Republican Party and highlights the unprecedented nature of the 2024 presidential race.
