Kamala Harris addressed a campaign rally in Ripon, Wisconsin on October 3, 2024, alongside Republican former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney. Notably, three prominent Republicans have recently joined the group of Harris’ supporters in Wisconsin.
In a press conference held over a Zoom call, the trio expressed their endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, while simultaneously voicing their disapproval of former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.
In supporting Harris, the three individuals furthered the Democratic campaign’s unified effort to reach across party and ideological boundaries to those who perceive Trump as an undeniable, existential danger. Each of them affirmed that the Republican party, under Trump’s leadership, has undergone a significant transformation that no longer aligns with their historical affiliations.
According to Deininger, the Republican Party will not be able to regain its footing and rebuild until the Trump era comes to an end. He believes that defeating Trump this year is crucial in order for the party to return to its roots as the party of Lincoln.
Sykes has been a vocal critic of Trump since before he secured the Republican nomination for president in 2016. As one of the founders of The Bulwark, a digital publication formed in 2019 by conservatives opposed to Trump, he has consistently expressed his dissent.
Schultz departed from the state Senate during Scott Walker’s time as Wisconsin governor. He voted against two significant bills introduced by Walker: one that reduced the union rights of public employees, and another that relaxed mining regulations.
Deininger served on the Government Accountability Board, a nonpartisan agency that acted as Wisconsin’s elections and ethics watchdog. He was one of the former judges who held this role for several years.
The independent board that investigated Walker’s campaign for coordinating spending with outside groups in the 2012 recall election, which was a violation of Wisconsin law at the time, was abolished by Republicans in the Legislature in 2015. Additionally, they changed the state’s campaign finance laws to allow for coordination.
According to Deininger, during his time on the Government Accountability Board, their main objective was to safeguard and maintain the integrity of Wisconsin government and elections. He believes that this kind of leadership is crucial at the federal level, which, unfortunately, was lacking during Donald Trump’s presidency.
He added that a second term for Trump would be significantly worse and more perilous.
As a former U.S. Navy veteran, Deininger emphasized that the president holds a distinct responsibility for safeguarding national security. He expressed his disappointment with some of the remarks made by former President Trump regarding veterans and military service, which were publicly reported.
Schultz stressed his commitment to bipartisan governance and his confidence in Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, to lead in a bipartisan fashion. He contrasted this with the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in the American Southeast and the falsehoods propagated by the GOP leaders in the storm’s aftermath.
Schultz also highlighted the difference between Trump’s portrayal of a bleak future and Harris, who aspires to the highest office, discussing the importance of unity and working together to tackle the challenges that affect us all.
“I personally align myself with those individuals who are optimistic about our future, rather than being fixated on a dystopian scenario like something out of Mad Max,” Schultz expressed.
During the press call, Sykes addressed the party that had once been the political home for all three Wisconsin Republicans, while also echoing some of the criticisms of Trump.
“I’ve been taken aback and disappointed by the number of conservatives who have embraced Donald Trump despite his dishonesty, offensive remarks, deference to dictators, and disregard for the rule of law,” Sykes expressed. “It seems that one by one, Republicans have prioritized winning or holding onto power over upholding the core values that were once considered fundamental.”
According to Sykes, it is unprecedented to see the number of staff and appointees from Trump’s tenure in the White House now expressing their belief that he is not fit to be re-elected. This includes prominent figures such as his former vice president, defense secretary, and national security advisor. Sykes emphasized that there is no historical comparison for such a situation.
Mike Pence, the vice president of Trump, and Paul Ryan, the former U.S. Speaker of the House, who served in Congress for twenty years, have openly expressed their opposition to Trump’s reelection. However, they have chosen not to endorse Harris.
Sykes expressed his admiration for their position, but also emphasized that leaving the presidential line on the ballot vacant or opting for a write-in candidate like George Washington, Edmund Burke, or Ronald Reagan wouldn’t be an effective response. He pointed out that such actions would not prevent Trump from securing another term as president.
“The election has come down to two main contenders, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump,” Sykes emphasized. “By casting a vote for Kamala Harris, we are making a clear statement that Donald Trump should never hold any position of power again.”