Seventeen Republicans who served under President Reagan have endorsed Harris for Vice President, her campaign announced in a press release Sunday.
In their endorsement, Republican lawmakers quoted President Reagan's “A Time to Choose” speech and said they believed he would have supported Harris' presidential bid if he were alive today.
“While he is not here to experience this moment, those of us who worked for him in the White House, the administration, the campaign, and on his personal staff know he will join us in supporting candidacy Harris-Waltz,” they said in a statement.
Former administration officials said they hoped other Republicans would follow their lead and endorse Harris.
“We hope this letter sends a signal to other Republicans and former Republicans that supporting the Democratic candidate this year is the only path to a strong, viable America for our children and grandchildren for years to come,” they wrote.
“The choice we face today is between honesty and incitement, and that choice must be Harris-Waltz. The choice between truth and lies means support for Harris-Waltz,” the former official wrote, adding, “The choice between freedom and the suppression of liberty means support for Harris-Waltz.”
Republicans on the list include Ken Adelman, who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and director of the U.S. Arms Control Agency under the Reagan administration; Carol Adelman, assistant administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development; Elizabeth Board, deputy assistant to the president for communications; B. Jay Cooper, who served as deputy assistant to the president under Reagan and as deputy White House press secretary for President George H.W. Bush; and official White House photographer Pete Souza.
This statement: Similar support The memo was sent to Harris from more than 230 former staff members of Republican presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, as well as presidential candidates Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
Harris' campaign has sought to highlight Republican support for her campaign and has made a point of including several Republican supporters at the Democratic National Convention, including former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and former Vice President Dick Cheney, who recently endorsed her.
The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
