By Axios | Created at 2024-10-03 10:07:10 | Updated at 2024-10-04 23:26:52
1 day ago
Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) will join Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday for a campaign event in Ripon, Wisconsin, aimed at appealing to Republican and independent voters, according to a senior campaign official.
Why it matters: The event – which will take place at the birthplace of the Republican Party — is Cheney's first campaign appearance with Harris since she endorsed the VP last month.
- With less than 35 days until the election, the Harris campaign is working to make overtures to the undecided and still persuadable GOP-leaning voters who could decide what will likely be a razor-thin election.
Driving the news: Harris, speaking from the schoolhouse that's considered the birthplace of the GOP, is expected to laud Cheney as a patriot for putting her country over her party, per the campaign official.
- Harris is also expected to emphasize her pledge to be a president for all Americans, which she has promised to do since she became the Democratic presidential nominee.
- Harris is also expected to take aim at former President Trump over his past comments calling for the "termination" of the U.S. Constitution.
State of play: Cheney, one of the most high-profile critics of the former president, endorsed Harris last month, saying: "Because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris."
- Democrats had long sought Cheney's endorsement, but the former GOP member of Congress held out until she could have the most impact with her show of public support, per the New York Times.
- Days after Cheney endorsed, her father, former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney, announced that he will also be voting for Harris.
Zoom out: The Harris campaign has been ramping up efforts to appeal to Republican voters, particularly in the crucial "Blue Wall" states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Go deeper: Anti-Trump Republicans should take "extra step," vote for Harris, Cheney says
