Harris Says She Will Appoint Republican to Cabinet in CNN Interview

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris revealed in an exclusive interview set to air Thursday night on CNN that she intends to appoint a Republican to her Cabinet if elected.

The interview features both Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and is scheduled to air at 9 p.m. EDT. Ahead of the broadcast, CNN disclosed that Harris emphasized her goal to engage moderates and independents who feel disconnected from the current Republican Party under Donald Trump.

In her first extensive television interview following her nomination, Harris said, “I’ve got 68 days to go with this election, so I’m not putting the cart before the horse. But I would. I think it’s really important.” She highlighted her commitment to including a diversity of opinion, stating, “I think it’s important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences.”

Harris further added, “And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican.”

Currently, Harris and Walz are touring Georgia, a crucial swing state, as they look to capitalize on momentum from the recent Democratic National Convention.

Georgia, historically a Republican stronghold, voted for the Democratic candidate Joe Biden in the last presidential election. Recent polls indicate that Harris is either neck-and-neck or slightly ahead of Trump in the state.

The Harris-Walz campaign highlighted indications of growing Republican support in Georgia, including an open letter signed by over 200 Republicans with previous connections to well-known figures such as former President George W. Bush, the late Senator John McCain, and Senator Mitt Romney.

A campaign spokesperson commented, “While Donald Trump continues to attack moderates and independents, as well as Republicans he doesn’t like, the Harris-Walz campaign has made clear that there is a place in our coalition for voters who reject the extremism of Donald Trump and want to put country over party.”

On Thursday, Harris concluded the bus tour with a rally in Savannah before heading to CNN studios in Atlanta with Walz for the interview.

Prior to the interview airing, CNN also reported that Harris discussed how her stances on issues like immigration and hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, have evolved since her last presidential campaign four years ago.

Although she opposed fracking as a threat to climate change during her 2019 campaign, her position shifted before joining Joe Biden’s ticket, culminating in her casting a tie-breaking vote in the Senate to expand fracking leases.

“We have set goals for the United States of America and by extension, the globe, around when we should meet certain standards for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as an example. That value has not changed,” she stated, reinforcing her commitment to environmental issues.