CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Republican leader and U.S. Representative Liz Cheney officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
"I don't believe that we have the luxury of writing in candidates' names, particularly in swing states," the Wyoming representative said. "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."
Cheney made the announcement during an appearance at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, a decision that could have ripple effects on North Carolina voters.
"This year seems like coalitions are shifting. Things may be underway that truly will make North Carolina one of the competitive battleground states in the country," said Michael Bitzer, a political science professor at Catawba College.
He first noticed the shift during the primary, when Nikki Haley received a significant number of votes, despite having already dropped out of the race.
"That sent a signal to me of saying there is still a substantial portion of Republican primary voters that are not willing to go along with Donald Trump," Bitzer said.
Bitzer is seeing the trend among local Republican voices as well. That includes Michael Tucker, a former Mecklenburg County GOP board member who is helping to lead the North Carolina chapter of the Republicans For Harris movement.
"There's a lot of us Republicans who are extremely dissatisfied with the way that the party's been handling the messaging," he said. "Some of the rhetoric around Donald Trump and 2025 and his actions are just not consistent with Republican values."
Bitzer says a small group of organized supporters like this could have a big impact on the election, especially in a swing state.
"Any kind of shift in the electorate towards perhaps Harris would have significant consequences for what we would expect in November," he noted.
Harris and Trump are expected to debate on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Contact Julie Kay at juliekay@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.