In an interesting political twist, former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a lifelong Republican, has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency.
Duncan, who previously declared his intent to vote for President Joe Biden over Donald Trump, solidified his support for Harris, the new presumptive 2024 Democratic nominee, both on social media and during an interview on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Politically Georgia” podcast.
Duncan’s endorsement marks a significant boost for Harris as she campaigns in key swing states like Georgia, where she aims to secure a victory against former President Trump in November.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Duncan stated:
“I’m committed to beating Donald Trump. The only vehicle left for me to do that with is the Democratic Party. If that requires me to vote for, speak for, or endorse Kamala Harris then count me in.”
During his time in office, Duncan was a vocal critic of Trump’s claims of election fraud in Georgia.
“The mountains of misinformation are not helping the process; they are only hurting it,” Duncan said to CNN in December 2020.
Despite campaigning for Trump in 2020, Duncan acknowledged Trump’s loss in Georgia, emphasizing the importance of upholding electoral integrity.
On “Politically Georgia,” Duncan highlighted the necessity for Harris to appeal to undecided and swing voters in Georgia and beyond. He warned that if Trump gains the majority of these voters, his re-election could pose significant challenges for the Republican Party.
Duncan also lauded Biden’s decision to end his 2024 campaign, suggesting it paved the way for a stronger Democratic candidate in Harris.
Earlier this year, Duncan penned an op-ed for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, announcing his intention to vote for Biden and urging other Republicans to reject Trump.
“Unlike Trump, I’ve belonged to the GOP my entire life. This November, I am voting for a decent person I disagree with on policy over a criminal defendant without a moral compass,” he wrote.
Duncan’s critique of Trump’s influence extended to the GOP’s performance in the 2022 midterm elections.
He attributed the party’s lackluster results to the quality of candidates endorsed by Trump, stressing the need for the GOP to hold Trump accountable.
The endorsement from a prominent Republican like Duncan underscores the deepening rifts within the GOP and signals a pivotal moment in Harris’ campaign as she strives to unify a diverse voter base ahead of the 2024 election.
