In a surprising discord with traditional party politics, former Republican Representative Liz Cheney is showing support for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Cheney, originally from Wisconsin, is set to campaign with Harris in the critical Midwestern battle state, despite her allegiance to the Republican party.
In a display intended to appeal to Republican voters who are disenchanted with former President Donald Trump, Harris will be joined by Cheney in Ripon, Wis., the location paramount to the founding of the Republican Party over a century ago. Curiously, Harris and Cheney have minimal political agreements, with their shared dislike of Trump being a notable exception.
Their past relationship barely registers, with a few phone calls regarding Cheney’s endorsement of Harris being the extent of their interaction. Despite this, Cheney’s endorsement is capitalized on by Harris’s camp to portray a wide range of support for Harris.
Cheney’s past is rooted in political discord. Born into Wisconsin, Cheney found her political home in Wyoming, where she represented the state for six years in Congress. More controversial, however, was her political fallout with Trump
Following Trump’s unsuccessful attempt to contest the 2020 election results, Cheney made significant strides away from the controversial figure, going as far as participating in the investigation against Trump’s charged assault on the Capitol in early 2021.
Backlash was inevitable. Cheney’s bold stance against Trump agitated her fellow Wyoming Republicans to the point of driving her out of office. Fealty to Trump proved to be a stronger bond than the shared Republican tag.
Cheney’s ideological commitment to conservatism did little to curb her growing distaste for Trump. Unapologetically, Cheney shared her intention not only to refrain from voting for Trump but to lend her vote to Harris, an action taken due to what she sees as the threat Trump poses.
This sudden support for Harris from a prominent Republican enters the public view just as more evidence against Trump’s actions during the 2020 election arises, shifting attention towards his purported endeavors to alter election results.
While this may be a turn of fortune for Harris against Trump-related woes, her shifting political stance becomes a concern for many voters. Harris, originally holding progressive positions, began navigating towards the center upon becoming the Democratic nominee.
Distancing herself from her previous self-proclaimed California liberal status, Harris donned a new role, describing herself as a loyal capitalist. Alongside it was her adoption of stringent stands on border security and an endorsement of natural gas extraction via fracking, a contrast to her previous opposition.
However, these attempts at moderation bode poorly with the polled public. Many expressed worry over Harris’ too-liberal beliefs, a notion that even outpaces the concern of Trump being overly conservative.
Wisconsin, among other key states, becomes a crucial focus for Harris. She strategizes on capturing these regions to secure her bid for presidency, with hopes that her narrow lead in Wisconsin can strengthen further.
Polling averages suggested a steady recovery for the Democratic ticket in Wisconsin, compensating for President Biden’s deficit against Trump. The majority of Wisconsin Democrats are reportedly eager to participate in the upcoming presidential election.
Harris also secured endorsements from more than a hundred former national security officials from past Republican administrations and former Republican Congressional members. However, these gestures do little to belie the confusion and discord still abundant in today’s volatile political landscape.
Ultimately, the unexpected alignment of Cheney, a prominent Republican, and Harris, a Democratic nominee, provides a stark symbol of the country’s changing political dynamics. It remains to be seen how this will influence voters’ perceptions and the electoral results.