ST PAUL, Minn. — There have been a slew of Republicans, openly critical of former President Donald Trump, who are now endorsing Kamala Harris.
That includes former Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson and former deputy chair of the Minnesota Republican Party Michael Brodkorb.
Carlson was a progressive Republican who said the party turned against him when he ran a second time in 1994. He did go on to serve two consecutive terms from 1991 to 1999. Carlson has endorsed other Democrats before, including former President Barack Obama.
"I still love this country, I want our democracy preserved and I want us to try and attract young people to government like John Kennedy did, so we can have a sense of excellence," said Carlson. "We need a higher level of competence in American government."
Other recent Harris supporters include former Trump White House officials Stephanie Grisham and Olivia Troye, former Secretary Chuck Hagel and former member of Congress Adam Kinzinger.
Brodkorb last served as the state's GOP deputy chair in 2011, but hasn't publicly backed a candidate since 2008 when he supported John McCain. He says this year, he's choosing to endorse Harris because she "reaffirms the best America has to offer."
"Where we agree, I think, is on the tenants of democracy, on the support for the Constitution, on support for the rule of law and the value and affirmation of the peaceful transfer of power and that elections mean something," said Bodkorb.
"I would argue the biggest issue is whether or not we can save our democracy," said Carlson.
The current Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman David Hann denies this grassroots group exists and says there are also Democrats who won't vote for Harris.
"People can have opinions and they do express them all the time, but there's not, in my mind, anything that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz represent that has anything that Republicans would find attractive," said Hann. "I think people have to make a choice which direction they want to see the country go."
Only time will tell as both parties continue to make a case to voters.
Below is Carlson's message supporting Kamala Harris as the next U.S. President.
Not surprisingly, I was delighted when President Biden passed the torch and immediately became part of Republicans for Harris. Although I have been a political independent, I served as a Republican Governor and firmly believe that the Republican Party will continue its obedience to Trump and destroy our democracy.
What is not surprising is the uncontrollable exuberance that is launching Harris into the White House. I say that because poll after poll showed that the American public did not want a Biden - Trump rematch and the fear of a Trump autocracy was growing causing many Americans to contemplate moving abroad. This was a very real trepidation and is not to be underestimated.
The bottom line is that we all care about our national wellbeing and the images of mass deportations and turning the Justice Department into a police force loyal only to a despotic President was all too reminiscent of the horrors of Hitler’s Germany.
Kamala Harris was the right personality at the right time to lead and maintain this exuberance. For over eight years, America has been subject to the daily grievances of Donald Trump and his relentless thirst for absolute power and unquestionable loyalty. Trump is all about Trump and is incapable of being sensitive to the needs of others. Harris’ smiling optimism was exactly what the doctor ordered. And we have all responded with unlimited relief. Sanity has returned and the “ can do “ belief is back.
Although I have political differences with Governor Walz, his boisterous joy blends perfectly with Harris and, stylistically, they are the perfect team and the right tonic for this moment in history.
It is my belief that they will sweep in November and, in the process, carry states like Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. It is my further belief that Trump’s behavior will worsen and cause us to openly discuss the fragile state of his mental health.
The media is seeing and interpreting Trump’s behavior through a political lens rather than requesting observations from experts in the field of mental health. Simply, Donald Trump is mentally sick and there is no way he will permit an analysis.
For those who thought his attacks on Republican leaders in Georgia were bizarre, what about his obsession with race? His inability to focus on conducting a national political campaign will continue and it will cause a multitude of Republican candidates to distance themselves from Trump and key campaign staffers will likely leave in frustration.
Frankly, I do not have a clue what Republican leaders will do. But the good news is that neither do they.
My best,
Arne