Harris Attracts Republican Votes with Liz Cheney Event and Centrist Strategies

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Gabriella Borter

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to campaign alongside former Congresswoman Liz Cheney on Thursday in Wisconsin. This initiative aims to attract Republican and centrist voters in this key battleground state ahead of the November 5 election.

Cheney, along with her father Dick Cheney, the former Vice President under George Bush, are notable Republicans who have endorsed Harris in her contest against Donald Trump. Both have offered strong critiques of Trump, particularly regarding his refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and his involvement in the January 6th Capitol attack, viewing these actions as disqualifying.

To prevail in what polls indicate to be a close race with Trump, Harris must appeal to Republicans and independent voters who are skeptical of him, all while maintaining support from her base—especially in critical states like Wisconsin that could determine the election outcome.

Harris has shifted to a center-to-right position on several policy issues, championing strong support for Israel, implementing stringent border policies, and advocating for a comprehensive energy strategy to keep fuel prices low.

However, recent polls suggest that Harris faces challenges in connecting with Republican voters. Despite the backing of numerous current and former Republican officials in the military and national security sectors, only a small fraction of Republican respondents indicated they would support her.

In a polling survey conducted from September 20 to 23, Harris led Trump 47% to 40% among all voters, yet only 5% of Republican participants expressed intentions to back her in the upcoming election. Additionally, 10% said they were undecided or would vote for another candidate.

During the Thursday event, Harris is expected to commend Cheney—a steadfast conservative who has opposed gay marriage and defended the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn abortion rights—for prioritizing her country’s interests over party loyalty. Harris will reiterate her message from the Democratic Convention, positioning herself as a president for all Americans, irrespective of political affiliation, while characterizing Trump as unfit for office.

The campaign event is scheduled to be held in Ripon, Wisconsin, at a historic one-room schoolhouse known as the birthplace of the Republican Party, where key meetings took place leading to its establishment in 1854.

Mary Anna Mancuso, a Republican strategist, noted that Harris is running “one of the most conservative platforms we’ve seen recently,” but she believes there is minimal risk of significant backlash from liberal voters. As Mancuso pointed out, many of these voters are unlikely to turn to Trump as an alternative.