A swing state Republican mayor says why he supports Harris

A swing state Republican mayor says why he supports Harris


You may have seen John Giles, a lifelong Republican and the mayor of Mesa, Arizona, speak at the Democratic National Convention in August. He leads a conservative city in a key swing state, but opposes GOP nominee Donald Trump and endorses Democrat Kamala Harris for president.

Other prominent Republicans have endorsed Ms. Harris, including former Rep. GOP Liz Cheney, former Vice President Dick Cheney (Ms. Cheney’s father), and former US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. More than 100 former GOP officials, including some from the Trump administration, endorsed Ms. Harris in a letter this week.

Why we wrote this

Some prominent Republicans have endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in her quest for the presidency. John Giles, a conservative mayor in a border state, says it’s about moving beyond party affiliations and working in “the middle.”

Similar defections are notably absent from the other side, although ex-Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has joined Mr. Trump’s team. Harris’ campaign hopes the conservative endorsements will help win over swing Republicans and independents.

“I think she’s going to rule from the center, which is fine,” Mr. Giles says in explaining his decision. “Compromise is part of the government, and it has shown the ability to do this.”

You may have seen John Giles, a lifelong Republican and the mayor of Mesa, Arizona, speak at the Democratic National Convention in August. He leads a conservative city in a key swing state, but opposes GOP nominee Donald Trump and endorses Democrat Kamala Harris for president.

Other prominent Republicans have endorsed Ms. Harris, including former Rep. GOP Liz Cheney, former Vice President Dick Cheney (Ms. Cheney’s father), and former US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. More than 100 former GOP officials, including some from the Trump administration Mrs. Harris agreed in a letter this week.

Similar defections are notably absent from the other side, although ex-Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has joined Mr. Trump’s team. The powerful Teamsters union — amid strong member support for the former president — has decided not to endorse either candidate this year. Harris’ campaign hopes the conservative endorsements will help win over swing Republicans and independents.

Why we wrote this

Some prominent Republicans have endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in her quest for the presidency. John Giles, a conservative mayor in a border state, says it’s about moving beyond party affiliations and working in “the middle.”

The Monitor sat down with Mr. Giles earlier this month in his City Hall office in Mesa, near Phoenix. With a panoramic view of Camelback Mountain as a backdrop, he talked about why he endorses the vice president and how it aligns with his Republican and religious values. Like many in Mesa, he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “I think he’s going to rule from the center, which is fine,” he says. “Compromise is part of the government, and it has shown the ability to do this.”

A view of Mesa, Arizona, from Mayor Giles’ office window, with Camelback Mountain in the background.

The following interview has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity:

Why do you endorse Kamala Harris?

I need to back up a bit. I have been the mayor of my hometown for the last 10 years, and I have loved this job. And part of what I love is that I’m elected in a nonpartisan election, and I lead a diverse city council made up of progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans. We got on wonderfully well. And that’s because we don’t bring partisanship into the equation. We focus on the medium, and take a problem-solving approach.

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