Former Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock has made headlines by endorsing Kamala Harris for the presidency. This marks a significant shift, as Comstock had previously served Virginia’s 10th Congressional District and often clashed with Donald Trump during her tenure. Her endorsement came with a strong statement on the need to move past Trump’s controversial approaches.
Barbara Comstock emphasized that turning the page is essential after Donald Trump’s refusal to acknowledge his election loss and his continuous threats against democracy. Comstock, who notably called for Trump to drop out of the presidential race in 2016 after the release of the Access Hollywood tape, highlighted these reasons as critical for her decision to endorse Harris.
Aligning with Former Colleagues
Alongside Comstock, former congressman Denver Riggleman has also endorsed Harris. Riggleman, who previously backed Trump, cited the January 6th insurrection as a pivotal factor in his decision to support Harris. He echoed Comstock’s concerns about Trump’s unfitness to return to the Oval Office, reaffirming the importance of protecting democracy.
“After Jan 6, after Donald Trump has refused for four years to acknowledge that he lost, and his threats against democracy, I think it’s important to turn the page. That’s why I will be voting for the vice president.” – Barbara Comstock
Despite these endorsements from prominent Republicans, the broader Virginia GOP remains loyal to Trump. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has continuously shown his support for Trump, promising to help him win Virginia in the upcoming election. Youngkin, however, has mostly avoided addressing some of Trump’s more controversial proposals.
Impact on the GOP
The influence of these endorsements extends beyond just Comstock and Riggleman. Several Republicans, including Adam Kinzinger and Ana Navarro, will appear at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Kinzinger, a critic of Trump and a former congressman for Illinois’s 16th district, is set to speak on the same night as Harris’s keynote speech.
“[Kinzinger] is the perfect person to make the case that, while he might disagree with the Vice President on some of her policy issues, he agrees on democracy, he agrees on things like supporting our allies in NATO, he supports—obviously—the war in Ukraine and supporting President Zelensky and he supports those fundamental principles that I think they share in the importance of keeping Donald Trump out of the Oval Office.” – Barbara Comstock
Ana Navarro, a Republican strategist and co-host of ABC’s The View, will host the event on Tuesday night, bringing her personal story to the forefront—fleeing communism and finding opportunity in America. The “Republicans for Harris” program launched by Harris’s campaign aims to attract Republican voters who are rejecting Trump, including names like Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Former GOP state chair Chris Vance.
