This was unexpected.
In a surprising development, a group of 17 Republicans who previously served under President Ronald Reagan have publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming presidential election. This announcement was made in a press release from Harris’s campaign on Sunday.
The endorsement highlights Reagan’s renowned “Time for Choosing” speech as a pivotal reference, asserting that if Reagan were alive today, he would likely support Harris’s candidacy. The statement from these former Reagan-era officials emphasizes their belief that Reagan’s values align with Harris’s vision for the country.
“We who had the honor of working directly with President Reagan—whether in the White House, in various administrations, or on his personal staff—firmly believe that he would stand with us in endorsing the Harris-Walz ticket,” the group declared. They expressed hope that their endorsement would inspire other Republicans to consider backing Harris.
The statement framed the upcoming election as a critical juncture, asserting that supporting the Harris-Walz ticket represents a commitment to a future of integrity and transparency. “The current choice before us is between maintaining our nation’s core values and succumbing to divisive rhetoric,” the officials wrote. They argued that the Harris-Walz ticket represents the best path forward, emphasizing the need for truth, freedom, and effective leadership.
The list of endorsers includes notable figures such as Kenneth Adelman, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and arms control director; Carol Adelman, former assistant administrator of USAID; Elizabeth Board, former deputy assistant to the president for communications; B. Jay Cooper, former deputy assistant to President Reagan and deputy White House press secretary under President George H.W. Bush; and Pete Souza, former White House photographer, among others.
This endorsement comes in the wake of similar support from over 230 former staffers of Republican Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, as well as former presidential nominees Sen. Mitt Romney and the late Sen. John McCain. The Harris campaign has actively sought bipartisan support and recently showcased several Republican supporters at the Democratic National Convention. Notably, former Rep. Liz Cheney and former Vice President Dick Cheney have also endorsed Harris, further highlighting her cross-party appeal.
