On Sunday, Olivia Troye, a former national security adviser to ex-Vice President Mike Pence, urged her previous boss to back Vice President Kamala Harris’s bid for the presidency. Troye, who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration since her departure from the White House in 2020, appeared on MSNBC and described it as an “amazing dream” if Pence endorsed Harris, who has recently become the leading Democratic presidential candidate.
Troye addressed Pence directly during her appearance, emphasizing the importance of his support. “If [Pence] is listening right now, I strongly encourage him to do what is right,” she stated. She praised Pence for his past courage and underscored that his endorsement could significantly impact conservative voters across the nation.
Troye is now part of the Harris campaign’s newly-formed “Republicans for Harris” coalition, which includes over 25 former Republicans. She highlighted the urgency of this election, asserting that “the stakes are too high to let partisanship endanger our freedom and the Constitution.” According to Troye, this election transcends party lines and focuses on preserving democratic principles and individual liberties—a cause she believes Harris supports.
The “Republicans for Harris” group aims to engage GOP members in promoting Harris’s candidacy within their circles. The campaign described this initiative as a “campaign within a campaign,” intending to influence crucial voter segments in battleground states such as Arizona, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
Mike Pence, who ended his own GOP presidential campaign last year, has stated he will not support former President Trump’s re-election bid, a decision influenced by their strained relationship following the 2020 election. Pence has consistently maintained that he did not have the authority to overturn the election results on January 6, 2021, despite Trump’s insistence. Pence’s critique of Trump’s actions has left him at odds with the current GOP base.
While President Biden has endorsed Harris, consolidating significant support from Democrats and major fundraising groups, Pence has yet to publicly elaborate on his thoughts about Harris. Last month, Pence acknowledged Biden’s decision as correct for the country but did not extend his comments to Harris.