Former anti-Trump Republicans, or 'Never Trumpers,' are now throwing their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as she aims to reposition herself as a moderate, distancing herself from her past progressive stances.
The campaign, officially launched as Republicans for Harris, has garnered the backing of several former lawmakers, including ex-Trump White House officials Stephanie Grisham and Olivia Troye.
While the Trump campaign has been emphasizing Harris' progressive background during her time as California's attorney general, Harris' team is now working to portray her as more centrist while characterizing former President Trump as 'extreme.'
A Trump campaign spokesperson highlighted Trump's appeal to a diverse range of Americans, contrasting Harris as 'weak, failed, and dangerously liberal.'
The national director of Republican outreach described Trump as 'toxic' to Republicans who no longer align with his values, emphasizing the need to defend democracy and restore decency.
Notable figures switching their allegiance to Harris include former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, and former Reps. Adam Kinzinger, Jim Greenwood, Claudine Schneider, Tom Coleman, Denver Riggleman, and Joe Walsh.
Former Trump officials like Grisham have cited concerns about Trump's leadership, with Grisham expressing confidence in Harris to uphold freedom, protect democracy, and represent America honorably.
Harris' supporters also include former GOP officials like Chris Vance and Rina Shah, reflecting a growing trend of Republicans turning away from Trump.
Harris, who initially courted the liberal wing of the Democratic Party during her 2019 presidential bid, has since shifted her stance to align with more moderate positions, distancing herself from past statements on issues like fracking and ICE.
The Harris campaign is now focusing on highlighting her ties to law enforcement and her record as a prosecutor and attorney general in California.
As Harris gears up for a crucial week in her presidential campaign, including selecting her running mate, she faces a tight race against Trump in key battleground states, with polls showing a margin-of-error contest between the two candidates.
