Anti-Trump Republicans wade into key down-ballot races with Democratic endorsements

Prominent Republicans opposed to former President Donald Trump are beginning to throw their weight behind Democrats in key down-ballot races.

Topping the list: Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who backed Democratic Rep. Susan Wild for reelection against state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R) in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, one day after she endorsed Democrat John Avlon’s Long Island bid to unseat Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.).

“This election we must look beyond partisanship to ensure we defeat election deniers and support people like Susan, who are serious leaders, and will do what’s right for their district and our nation,” Cheney said in her endorsement of Wild in what’s considered a toss-up race.

But Cheney wasn’t alone. Former GOP Rep. Denver Riggleman (Va.) announced his support of Sen. Tim Kaine’s (D-Va.) reelection bid against Republican Hung Cao in Virginia on Wednesday, saying the incumbent is “thoughtful on policy and is willing to work across the aisle to deliver.”

Cheney, Riggleman and former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) have all endorsed Kamala Harris’ presidential bid against Donald Trump, but their support of Democrats further down the ballot is new. The three are among the most visible and recently serving former GOP lawmakers to throw their support behind Democrats in federal races.

Kinzinger has also backed Rep. Colin Allred’s (D-Texas) bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), as well as Avlon in his Long Island race.