Dick Cheney Breaks with GOP, Endorses Kamala Harris for President

In a surprising turn of events, Dick Cheney, the former Vice President of the United States, has announced his intention to vote for Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. This declaration, made on September 1, 2024, marks a significant departure from Cheney's lifelong affiliation with the Republican Party.

Liz Cheney, Dick's daughter and former U.S. Representative for Wyoming, had previously endorsed Harris on August 30, 2024. The elder Cheney's decision was revealed during an onstage interview at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, where Liz Cheney shared the news with journalist Mark Leibovich of The Atlantic.

Dick Cheney's statement emphasized his opposition to former President Donald Trump rather than explicit support for Harris. He stated, "He can never be trusted with power again," referring to Trump. Cheney added, "As citizens, we each have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution. That is why I will be casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris."

The Cheneys' relationship with the Republican Party has deteriorated in recent years, primarily due to their criticism of Trump. This shift is particularly notable in Wyoming, a state that once held the Cheney family in high regard but has since aligned strongly with Trump. In the 2020 election, Wyoming delivered Trump his widest margin of victory nationwide.

Liz Cheney's political career suffered as a result of her opposition to Trump. In 2022, she lost her bid for reelection to a Trump-endorsed candidate by a significant margin. Her vote to impeach Trump and her involvement in investigating the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot further distanced her from the GOP mainstream.

The Cheneys are not alone in their stance against Trump. Several prominent Republicans have expressed support for Harris or opposition to Trump, including:

• Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, who endorsed Biden and spoke in support of Harris at the Democratic National Convention
• Sen. Mitt Romney, who has stated he won't vote for Trump
• Former Vice President Mike Pence, who also says he won't support Trump

It's worth noting that among these figures, only Romney, who is not seeking reelection, remains in office.

"Who is Liz Cheney?"

This endorsement represents a significant shift in American politics, highlighting the growing divide within the Republican Party. As the 2024 election approaches, it remains to be seen how this high-profile endorsement will impact voter sentiment and party dynamics.