Two weeks before the midterm elections, on November 8, the alliances of the new American political reality are taking shape. This Thursday, Republican Rep. Liz Cheney endorsed and plans to campaign for Michigan Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin.
It is the first time the critic of former President Donald Trump, who lost in the GOP primary, has crossed party lines to formally endorse a Democrat.
Cheney, who represents the state of Wyoming, announced his support for his colleague who has represented Holly, Michigan, for two terms in the House of Representatives, said a Slotkin campaign statement, noting that next Tuesday Cheney plans to headline a campaign event with her in Lansing.
Slotkin is running against Republican state senator Tom Barrett for Michigan’s 7th congressional district. Both sides consider that the contest is very close, which is why it is one of the main objectives of the Republicans in their campaign to obtain a majority in the House in the November 8 elections.
Cheney and Slotkin serve on the House Armed Services Committee, but their shared experience in the Federal Government goes back further. Cheney worked at the State Department before launching his political career, as did Slotkin, who also worked at the CIA and the Defense Department.
Both have been outspoken critics of those Republicans who have tried to downplay the assault on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Cheney is vice chair of the House special committee investigating the failed coup, a panel that recently issued a subpoena for Trump to testify.
“I have come to know Elissa as a good and honorable public servant,” Cheney said in a statement. “While Elissa and I have political disagreements, at this time when our nation faces threats from within and without, we need thoughtful, responsible and substantive members of Congress like Elissa.”
For his part, Slotkin was one of the first advocates of the formation of the special panel investigating the attack.
