First Lady Jill Biden (right) sits with Susan Ford Bales (left) daughter of former First Lady Betty Ford at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation’s annual First Ladies Luncheon in Grand Rapids, Michigan on April 26, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
In a growing list of GOP endorsements, Vice President Kamala Harris has secured support from Susan Ford Bales, the daughter of Republican former President Gerald Ford according to a Monday announcement from the campaign.
“When my father, Gerald Ford, was sworn-in as America’s 38th President, the nation was in need of a serious, compassionate and honorable leader who had the courage to do what was right and always to defend our Constitution. His dedication to those values helped bring our country through a turbulent time and restored Americans’ trust in our democracy,” Ford Bales said in a statement.
Republican former US Rep. Joe Schwarz throws support behind Kamala Harris
“We face a similar dynamic today. America cannot regress back to a divisive paradigm of loathing toward one another and disdain for our Constitution. We witnessed on January 6 the horrors of what that looks like, and we can never allow a repeat of that tragedy. The forces that incited it must be held accountable. They can never be in a position to ever do it again,” She said.
Ford Bales joins a number of other Republicans in Michigan and nationwide in backing Harris’s presidential bid, with former U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz announcing his support for Harris last week.
Harris has also received endorsements from prominent Republicans across the U.S. including former Vice President Dick Cheney, multiple former lawmakers, including Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), alongside multiple former Trump administration officials.
Earlier this month, Harris’s campaign also launched its coalition for Michigan Republicans supporting Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, helmed by former U.S. Rep. Dave Trott (R-Commerce Twp.) and joined by Republican strategist Bill Nowling and Jim Murray, who served as deputy chief of staff to former Michigan Republican House Speaker Rick Johnson.
“Vice President Harris and I likely disagree on some policy matters, but her integrity and commitment to those same principles that guided Dad have led me to conclude that Kamala Harris should be elected 47th President of the United States,” Ford Bales said.
“She recognizes the goodness and the greatness in our country. I know she will defend the rule of law and our Constitution. And I know she will work to bring all Americans together to move us beyond partisanship. That is what America deserves from our President, and that is why I am proud to endorse Vice President Harris for President of the United States,” Ford Bales said.
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