In a surprising turn of events, Dick Cheney, former Republican Vice President, will cast his vote for Democrat Kamala Harris in the November 2024 election, as revealed by his daughter, Liz Cheney. This announcement, made at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, marks a significant shift in political allegiances.
Liz Cheney, who served as the U.S. Representative for Wyoming's at-large congressional district from 2017 to 2023, stated, "Dick Cheney will be voting for Kamala Harris." This decision comes as both Cheneys express deep concerns about the current political climate and the potential threat to democracy posed by Republican nominee Donald Trump.
The elder Cheney's political career spans decades, including roles as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford and Secretary of Defense for President George H.W. Bush. His tenure as the 46th Vice President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 solidified his position as a prominent Republican figure.
Despite initially endorsing Trump in 2016, Dick Cheney's stance has shifted dramatically. The January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, which was an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, appears to have been a turning point in Cheney's view of the former president.
Liz Cheney emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating:
"There's never been an individual in our country who is as grave a threat to our democracy as Donald Trump is, and that's the moment that we're facing."
This statement underscores the Cheneys' belief in the critical nature of the upcoming election, scheduled for November 2024.
In addition to supporting Harris, who has been serving as Vice President since 2021, Liz Cheney also pledged her support for Colin Allred, a Democratic Representative challenging Republican Senator Ted Cruz in Texas. Cheney described Allred, who has represented Texas's 32nd congressional district since 2019, as a "tremendous, serious candidate."
This shift in political support from prominent Republican figures to Democratic candidates highlights the evolving landscape of American politics. As the oldest active political party in the United States, founded in 1828, the Democratic Party is seeing unexpected allies in its bid to maintain control of the executive branch.
The Cheneys' decision to break ranks with their long-standing party affiliation underscores the complex dynamics at play in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, which, like all U.S. presidential elections, occurs every four years.