Among the most surprising revelations to follow the entry of Vice President Kamala Harris into the presidential race is how her candidacy has drawn the backing of a whole new group of suddenly energized, fully enthusiastic supporters who are …
Republican?
Yes.
By which I mean actual Republicans. Real ones. Not MAGA imposters.
I’m talking about common sense, conservative, country-over-party Republicans, the men and women whom former news reader and MAGA U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake derisively called “(John) McCain Republicans” at an event a while back and then told them to “get the hell out.”
Giles, Grisham and others are speaking up
They’re baaaack. Those McCain Republicans. Some of them, anyway.
In Arizona, Republican Mesa Mayor John Giles announced he will co-chair a new Arizona Republican task force for Harris, along with former GOP state Rep. Robin Shaw.
In a statement Giles said, “As a lifelong Arizonan and longtime Republican, I strongly believe in defending democracy and standing up for our personal freedoms. Donald Trump and JD Vance represent the greatest threat to American values and institutions that I have seen in my lifetime — and that’s why I am committed to defeating him in November.”
Former Trump press secretary Stephanie Grisham, also from Arizona, is supporting Harris as well, along with a number of elected officials, former office holders and business people who have had deep ties to Republican politics before Trump came along and yanked them up by the roots.
Not all Republicans pledge fealty to Trump
“I might not agree with Vice President Kamala Harris on everything,” Grisham said, “but I know that she will fight for our freedom, protect our democracy and represent America with honor and dignity on the world stage.”
She’s part of a group of nationally known Republicans supporting Harris, a group of individuals who don’t fit in with those who believe fealty to Trump is more important than fealty to the party, the Constitution or the country.
Trump’s agenda: Will make Arizona better. Bring him back
People like former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who, with Liz Cheney, were the only Republicans willing to serve on the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
He said recently, “As a proud conservative, I never thought I’d be endorsing a Democrat for president. But, I know Vice President Harris will defend our democracy and ensure Donald Trump never returns to the White House.”
It’s a political risk to protect the country
We’ve seen in Arizona what MAGA does with Republicans who put country over party.
Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, for example, was booted from a Republican primary when he would have cruised to victory in a general election.
Or former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, targeted for being unwilling to throw the 2020 election for Trump.
The Republicans supporting Harris disagree with Democrats on just about everything — except their oath to the U.S. Constitution.
They believe the country only works if you respect the people with whom you disagree, and they understand that doing so is the only chance we’ve got to preserve the nation as it was created.
People like Mesa Mayor Giles, an actual, genuine Republican.
Reach Montini at [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kamala Harris finally has support from real Republicans in Arizona
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