Republican Party Chairs Back Kamala Harris for President: ‘Be a Patriot’

Three former chairs of the Maine Republican Party have come forward to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election against former President Donald Trump. This endorsement aligns with the sentiments of a growing number of Republicans and former GOP officials who are backing the Democratic nominee.

In an op-ed published in the Bangor Daily News, Robert Monks, Ken Cole, and Ted O’Meara expressed their enthusiastic support for Harris. Reflecting on their tenure, they noted that a time existed when politicians, regardless of party affiliation, demonstrated civility and believed in the rule of law while keeping the interests of both the state and the nation at heart, despite their differences.

The former chairs observed these positive traits in Harris but lamented that such values are “completely lacking” in Trump. They criticized Trump for fostering division among Americans, stating, “Whether it is race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or country of origin, Trump continues to pit us against each other in his frightening, cynical quest to get elected again.”

The trio characterized Harris as “collaborative and capable,” emphasizing her dedication to unifying the country. They expressed trust in her commitment to serve the entire nation, contrasting her approach with Trump’s, who they believe has transformed the Republican Party into something unrecognizable. “Trump’s MAGA Republican Party is unrecognizable to us,” they asserted.

Monks, Cole, and O’Meara criticized Trump for the “chaos and lies” surrounding his presidency. They noted the backing Harris has received from traditional Republicans, including former Vice President Dick Cheney, his daughter Liz Cheney, and numerous former staffers from the Ronald Reagan administration.

Furthermore, the former chairs pointed out that over 100 former Republican officials signed a letter declaring that Trump is “unfit to serve again as president, or indeed in any office of public trust.” They highlighted concerns over Trump’s reluctance to specify whether he wants Ukraine to succeed in its war against Russia and criticized his affinity for authoritarian leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Hungary’s Viktor Orban, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.

Worries were also raised about what another Trump term might mean for international stability, particularly regarding European allies’ anxieties and China’s assertive stance towards Taiwan. The trio warned that Trump’s return to the White House would “make our world a far more dangerous place.”

The Maine Republicans expressed their fears that Trump’s “Project 2025” agenda could undermine essential programs beneficial to Maine residents, such as Medicare, Social Security, and protections for pre-existing conditions outlined in the Affordable Care Act.

The former chairs posed a critical question, asking whether Maine voters would support a vision for America characterized by fair elections, personal freedoms, and a tax system that holds everyone accountable. They cautioned against succumbing to Trump’s election lies, which could jeopardize personal liberties and promote harmful policies for Maine’s workforce.

Monks, Cole, and O’Meara noted that many GOP leaders have fallen in line with Trump’s ideology, stating that this faction would be unlikely to heed their calls for principled governance. Instead, they urged the many “honest, hardworking, principled people” still within the Maine Republican Party to join them in supporting Harris.

They also echoed sentiments from Republican Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, who remarked during a speech at the Democratic National Convention that voting for Kamala Harris does not make one a Democrat but rather a patriot. The three Republicans concluded their op-ed by encouraging readers to act with integrity this November, saying, “On November 5, be a patriot.”