RIPON, WI – (WISS & WGBW) – Vice President Kamala Harris appeared in Ripon today. The small city in Fond du Lac County is known as “The Birthplace of the Republican Party,” making it the perfect place for many Republicans to announce their support of the Democratic candidate for President of the United States.

Liz Cheney’s endorsement

Liz Cheney, a former US Representative, former House Republican Conference Chair, and daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, formally announced her endorsement of Harris for President at the event.

“I tell you, I have never voted for a Democrat. But this year I am proudly casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris,” said Liz Cheney to a receptive crowd of Harris/Walz supporters.

Republican Liz Cheney endorses Kamala Harris for President at Ripon College on Thursday. Ripon is considered the “Birthplace of the Republican Party.” Photo: Lisa M. Hale/Civic Media

Liz Cheney first announced her support of Harris last month at Duke University when she said, “As a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this. 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.”

At the rally in Ripon, she said Donald Trump’s disregard for the Constitution is anathema to her.

“Above all else, I know that the most conservative of conservative values is fidelity to our Constitution,” Cheney said.

Cheney brought up the events of January 6, 2020; Trump’s actions and inactions in the wake of the insurrectionists.

“What January 6th shows us, is that there is not an ounce – not an ounce – of compassion in Donald Trump. He is petty. He is vindictive. And he is cruel. And Donald Trump is not fit to lead this good and great nation,” Cheney said.

Republicans come out in support of Democrat Kamala Harris for President at a rally in Ripon on Thursday. Photo: Lisa M. Hale/Civic Media

Harris accepted the endorsement of Liz Cheney. She thanked former Vice President Dick Cheney for his support. And reached out to the Republicans and Democrats in the audience.

“I know the vast majority of us, regardless of your political party, agree we must hold sacred America’s fundamental principles. From the rule of law to free and fair elections to the peaceful transfer of power,” said Harris. “If you share that view, no matter your political party, there is a place for you with us and in this campaign. Because those principles, I know, unite us across party lines. And in this election, I take seriously my pledge to be a President for all the people.”

Wisconsin Republican support

Former Iowa County Sheriff Steve Michek, a Republican, spoke for several other Republicans as he introduced Liz Cheney. He too mentioned January 6th.

“On January 6th, when I watched Trump, try to overturn the election and encourage his supporters to violently storm the U.S Capitol, ultimately resulting in the death of police officers. I was appalled and terrified,” said Michek. “No member of law enforcement should be willing to stand next to him after all we witnessed on, January 6th. And no one who cares about our constitution should continue to stand by him after he has shown his disrespect about Democracy. It is now clear, to me, that Donald Trump is a danger to our country.”

Meanwhile today, In an open letter over 20 Republican Wisconsinites – including elected county DAs and longtime Republican county party chairs to everyday Wisconsinites – called on fellow Republicans to support Vice President Harris and reject Donald Trump’s extreme and dangerous agenda for his second term.

“So, the choice for Republicans this November is a choice between the Wisconsin values of freedom, democracy, and decency that Vice President Harris and Governor Walz represent, and Donald Trump’s complete lack of character, divisive rhetoric, and extremism,” the letter said. “So, we call upon all Wisconsinites – specifically our fellow Republicans – to ask more for ourselves, to go where our state motto tells us to go: forward, and elect Vice President Kamala Harris.”

One of the signers of that letter is Mark Becker, who now hosts Rational Revolution on Civic Media stations. As a Republican, Becker said supporting Harris is a simple decision.

“It’s easy to support her because it’s not about left versus right. It’s about right versus wrong,” said Becker. “And it’s very easy to do that when you’re welcomed like this. And she makes a great space for us to be to be here.”

Former Brown County Republican Party Chair Mark Becker endorses Democrat Kamala Harris for President. Photo: Lisa M. Hale/Civic Media

This was Harris’s first visit to Northeast Wisconsin since accepting the Democratic nomination for president. This is her fifth visit to Wisconsin since July.

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