The Unlikely Endorsement: A Conservative’s Journey from Trump to Harris

Let me tell you a story. Eight years ago, in September 2016, I was on the editorial board of The Detroit News. During our endorsements that presidential election year, we made a decision that surprised a lot of our readers—and others around the country. For the first time in the newspaper’s storied history, we chose not to endorse the Republican candidate.

As we wrote then: “The 2016 nominee offered by the Republican Party rubs hard against the editorial board’s values as conservatives and Americans. Donald Trump is unprincipled, unstable, and quite possibly dangerous. He cannot be president.” This bold statement reflected the growing unease many conservatives felt about Trump’s candidacy.

The Dilemma of Endorsement

So, what did we do instead? As a conservative editorial board, we couldn’t bring ourselves to endorse the Democrat, Hillary Clinton, due to her far-left stances and character challenges. Rather than simply write a non-endorsement, we wanted to be for somebody. We chose Libertarian Gary Johnson, the former two-term Republican governor of New Mexico. Unfortunately for us, the night before our endorsement ran, Johnson had a brain freeze on national TV when he couldn’t think of the name of a single foreign leader he admired—an “Aleppo moment,” as Johnson called it. The next day, when local and national media outlets wanted to talk to us about our choice, it was interesting to say the least.

I tell this story to illustrate my understanding of the concerns many conservatives have with Trump. Fast forward to the present, and I find myself thrilled to see a new generation of Republicans running in the 2024 GOP primary, including former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The Rise of ‘Republicans for Harris’

However, what I will never understand is how so-called never-Trump Republicans could bring themselves to enthusiastically support someone like Vice President Kamala Harris. The movement known as "Republicans for Harris" formed shortly after it became clear that Harris would take over for President Joe Biden in the presidential contest. Their goal isn’t merely to warn against Trump; it’s to actively work to elect Harris.

This movement has gained traction, with an ever-growing list of supporters that includes prominent names like former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney. Liz Cheney has even gone so far as to ask voters to “take the extra step” to support Harris, stating, “As a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this. And 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.”

The Contradiction of Conservative Values

Yet, how does a self-described principled conservative throw her support behind someone who has a long record of backing some of the most far-left policies out there? Since entering the race, Harris has changed positions on nearly everything she has ever supported, leading many to question whether these shifts are genuine or merely political calculations.

Harris’ policies, at times, have mirrored Trump’s, such as her recent proposal to build a wall along the southern border. This raises the question: if Trump isn’t a true conservative, as I’ve pointed out before, then how can Harris, with her progressive agenda, be a viable alternative?

Even during Trump’s presidency, Cheney voted along with him most of the time. This contradiction leaves many conservatives puzzled: how can one justify supporting a candidate who represents the antithesis of conservative values?

The Stakes of Democracy

The Republicans who vow to vote for Harris seem motivated by a singular fear: what a second Trump term could bring and what it might mean for our democracy. But is our democracy really that flimsy? I have more faith in our Constitution and our system of government than to think any one person could overturn it.

In a recent interview, Yuval Levin, director of social, cultural, and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute, articulated a sentiment that resonates with me: “The idea that if we lose this election, we will lose everything is less true in the 21st century— not more—than it has been through most of American history.” This perspective suggests that the stakes of our elections may not be as impossibly high as they seem.

Conclusion: A Conservative’s Dilemma

I don’t believe our democracy is on the line this November. What I am sure about is that Harris would continue in Biden’s footsteps, pushing unconstitutional executive orders and backing costly legislation that is quickly bankrupting our country and driving up prices for Americans. Harris is unapologetically pro-abortion, and her policies would likely exacerbate the issues conservatives are concerned about.

I understand a conservative not wanting to vote for Trump. However, actively supporting Harris? That’s a bridge too far. The journey from a principled conservative stance to endorsing a candidate who embodies the very policies one opposes is a perplexing one. It raises fundamental questions about the values we hold dear and the lengths we are willing to go to in the name of political opposition.

Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on X, formerly Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques.