Politics in America usually feels like two teams that won't even share the same sidewalk. But during the 2024 cycle, something shifted. We saw a list of Republicans who have endorsed Kamala Harris that didn't just include the "usual suspects" from the cable news circuit. It was a mix of old-school hawks, former Trump staffers, and local mayors who decided they'd rather cross the aisle than stay home.
Honestly, it's a weird thing to see. You've got people like Dick Cheney—the man once considered the ultimate GOP boogeyman by Democrats—voting for a San Francisco liberal. It sounds like a bad political thriller plot. But the numbers weren't small. We’re talking about over 200 former aides to George W. Bush, John McCain, and Mitt Romney.
Why? Most of them weren't suddenly becoming progressives. They still disagree with Harris on basically everything from taxes to healthcare. The thread that pulled them together was more about the "vibe" of democracy and the rule of law. They looked at the 2024 landscape and decided the GOP had moved somewhere they couldn't follow.
The Big Names: Liz Cheney and the "Permission Structure"
If you followed the news at all, you saw Liz Cheney. She became the face of the Republicans who have endorsed Kamala Harris movement. It wasn't just a tweet or a press release; she went on a full-blown tour through the "Blue Wall" states like Pennsylvania and Michigan.
She talked a lot about the Constitution. To her, this wasn't about policy. It was about January 6th. She argued that Donald Trump was a unique threat that required a "break glass in case of emergency" response. Her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, followed suit. He put out a statement saying Trump could "never be trusted with power again."
It’s interesting because it created what strategists call a "permission structure." Basically, if the Cheneys say it's okay to vote for a Democrat, maybe the suburban Republican in Bucks County feels like they can do it too.
Other heavy hitters joined in. Adam Kinzinger, the former Illinois Congressman, actually spoke at the Democratic National Convention. Think about that for a second. A sitting (at the time) or recently retired Republican at a DNC. He told the crowd that Trump had "suffocated the soul" of the GOP. Then you had Jeff Flake, the former Senator from Arizona, who's always been a bit of a maverick. He backed Harris because he wanted a return to "decency."
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The Insiders: When the Call Comes From Inside the House
Maybe the most telling endorsements came from people who actually worked in the Trump White House. These aren't "Deep State" myths; they were the people in the room.
Stephanie Grisham, who was Trump’s press secretary, was a big one. She’s seen the inner workings and decided she’d rather support Harris. Same goes for Olivia Troye, who was a national security advisor to Mike Pence. When people who were hired by the administration start backing the opponent, it carries a different kind of weight. It’s not just ideological—it’s personal experience.
Cassidy Hutchinson is another name that pops up. She was the aide who gave that blockbuster testimony about the 2021 Capitol riot. She flat-out said she’s voting for the Harris-Walz ticket because "character matters."
A Quick List of Other Notable GOP Backers:
- Alberto Gonzales: Former Attorney General under George W. Bush.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger: Former Governor of California (he’s always been his own brand of Republican).
- Geoff Duncan: Former Lt. Governor of Georgia.
- John Giles: The Mayor of Mesa, Arizona.
- Jimmy McCain: Son of the late Senator John McCain.
Does it Actually Change Anything?
This is the million-dollar question. Does a list of Republicans who have endorsed Kamala Harris actually move the needle?
If you look at the final data from the 2024 election, the answer is... complicated. While Harris did get a slice of the GOP vote, it wasn't a landslide defection.
Pew Research found that about 95% of self-identified Republicans still voted for Trump. That’s a huge number. However, in states decided by 10,000 or 20,000 votes, that remaining 5% is everything. Harris focused heavily on "Haley Voters"—those who supported Nikki Haley in the primary even after she dropped out.
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The strategy was to peel off just enough moderate, college-educated Republicans in the suburbs to win. In Pennsylvania, some polls showed Harris grabbing nearly 12% of registered Republicans. In Nevada, it was lower, around 6%.
The "Republicans for Harris" campaign was basically a campaign within a campaign. They used "Republican-to-Republican" contact. The idea was that you’re more likely to listen to a fellow conservative than a Democrat telling you you’re wrong.
The Policy Gap
Let’s be real. These Republicans aren't fans of Harris's record.
They don't like her stance on the Green New Deal or her past comments on healthcare. Most of them explicitly said, "I disagree with her on almost everything." This was a vote against a person, not necessarily for a platform.
For many, it was about the "Time for Choosing." That’s a phrase Reagan used, and a group of former Reagan staffers used it again in their endorsement of Harris. They argued that if Reagan were alive, he’d be horrified by the current state of the party's foreign policy—specifically the stance on Ukraine and NATO.
What This Means for the Future of the GOP
Seeing so many Republicans who have endorsed Kamala Harris tells us the party is in a massive transition. You basically have two versions of the GOP right now.
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One is the MAGA base, which is more populist, nationalist, and skeptical of old-school institutions. The other is the "Establishment" or "Constitutionalist" wing, which feels totally homeless.
Some of these people, like Michael Steele (former RNC Chair), have basically moved into the Democratic orbit for now. Others are hoping they can "reclaim" the party later. But honestly? It’s hard to see how they go back. Once you’ve crossed the line to endorse the "other team," the base usually doesn't forget.
Actionable Insights for the Curious Voter
If you're trying to make sense of why this happened or what to look for next, here's the deal:
- Check the "Former" Status: Notice that almost all these endorsers are "former" officials. Very few sitting Republicans had the political cover to back Harris. This tells you the party's leadership is still very much in one camp.
- Look at the Geography: Most of these endorsements focused on Arizona and Pennsylvania. These are the places where "Country over Party" messaging resonates with suburban voters.
- Follow the Policy Shifts: Keep an eye on whether the GOP tries to win these people back or if they continue to move toward a more populist platform.
- Read the Letters: If you have time, read the open letter signed by the 200+ Bush/McCain/Romney aides. It’s a fascinating look at what they value—and what they fear.
The phenomenon of Republicans who have endorsed Kamala Harris isn't just a historical footnote. It’s a signal of a massive realignment in American politics. Whether it’s a permanent shift or a one-time protest remains to be seen.
To stay truly informed, you should track the voting records of "Moderate" Republicans who stayed in the party vs. those who left. Often, the rhetoric of an endorsement matters less than the quiet legislative votes that happen months later. Check non-partisan databases like Ballotpedia or OpenSecrets to see where the money and the influence are actually moving as the 2026 midterms approach.