Over 200 staff members who previously worked for four Republican presidential nominees have thrown their support behind Democrat Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. In an open letter highlighted by USA Today on Monday, individuals who served under former Presidents George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, John McCain, and Mitt Romney are urging moderate Republicans and conservative independents to back Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, instead of endorsing a second term for GOP nominee Donald Trump and his VP pick, Sen. JD Vance from Ohio.
The letter emphasizes the urgency of the situation, pointing to critical battleground states that played a pivotal role in Joe Biden’s narrow victory in 2020. The endorsers, including prominent figures like Reed Galen from The Lincoln Project and Olivia Troye, a former homeland security adviser to Mike Pence, voice their concerns about the repercussions of another term under Trump’s leadership, particularly in advancing what they refer to as the dangerous goals of Project 2025.
The signatories state that Trump’s actions could harm regular citizens and weaken important institutions, adding that democratic movements may be jeopardized as Trump and Vance prioritize relationships with dictators over allies. Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, dismissed the letter, questioning the credibility of the individuals involved and suggesting they prefer chaos over Trump’s re-election.
Notably, some of the same supporters had previously endorsed Biden in the 2020 election. Both Trump and Harris have been courting endorsements from the opposite political spectrum as the election approaches. Several Republicans, such as Mesa, Arizona Mayor John Giles, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, and former Trump press secretary Stephanie Grisham, spoke in favor of Harris at the recent Democratic National Convention.
In a twist, individuals like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who abandoned his independent presidential bid, and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, previously on the fringes of the Democratic Party, have now endorsed Trump. The Trump campaign has announced the addition of Kennedy and Gabbard to their transition team. The political landscape grows more complex as Election Day nears, with alliances shifting and unexpected endorsements emerging.
