Key Republican leaders are rallying behind Vice President Kamala Harris, calling on party members to endorse the Democratic ticket over former President Donald Trump.
At a recent online event organized as a rally for “Republicans for Harris,” former officials and party figures advocated for supporting Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The meeting, held on Tuesday night, featured speeches highlighting their commitment to constitutional values.
Former Representative Denver Riggleman, who once served in the conservative House Freedom Caucus, expressed his concerns about Trump, labeling him an “inveterate liar” and “conspiracy theorist.” Riggleman emphasized the seriousness of the January 6th insurrection and stated, “When you see the data and the awful things I’ve seen, there’s no way as a Republican that I could vote for anybody who’s anti-Constitution.”
Multiple participants noted that while they may not agree with all of Harris’ policies, they see Trump as a threat to American democracy. Craig Snyder, head of the Haley Voters for Harris group, stated, “When the Harris team wins and prevents the sudden death of American democracy, we can joyfully return to arguing over marginal tax rates and the role of government in healthcare.”
Snyder also mentioned his outreach efforts to former supporters of Nikki Haley, emphasizing that Harris and Walz will govern from a moderate position.
Speakers framed their stances as the true embodiment of Republican values, invoking the legacies of past Republican presidents like Ronald Reagan and the Bushes. Austin Weatherford, National Republican Engagement Director for the Harris campaign, recalled President George W. Bush labeling Trump as “weird.”
Political strategist Rina Shah highlighted abortion rights as a critical voting issue, criticizing recent state-level bans. “I don’t want the government in my backyard, my bedroom, my bank account, and certainly not in the medical exam room,” she stated, appealing to small-government conservatives.
Overcoming stigma related to breaking from the party emerged as a prominent theme among speakers. Rosie Marin, former U.S. Treasurer under President George W. Bush, acknowledged that voting for a Democrat could strain personal relationships but stressed the importance of voting with integrity. “At the end of the day, you will know in your heart that you did the right thing,” she asserted.
Former Illinois Representative Joe Walsh encouraged fellow Republicans to embrace their decision, stating, “You have to publicly out yourself: ‘I’m a Republican; I’m a conservative, and I’m supporting Kamala Harris.’”
The event reportedly attracted over 70,000 participants, with organizers urging Republicans to actively support Harris through volunteering and public endorsements.
