Mike Pence's Ex-Staffer Backs Tim Walz

Olivia Troye, a former adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, has expressed strong support for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, calling him an "excellent choice for vice president."

Troye, who served as Pence's Homeland Security and Counterterrorism adviser and was a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force before resigning in August 2020, has since become a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump. Her disapproval of Trump led her to endorse President Joe Biden in 2020, and she now supports Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the leading Democratic candidate in July after Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed her.

On Tuesday, Troye lauded Harris' selection of Walz as her running mate in a post on X (formerly Twitter). 

Troye praised Walz as "a fantastic VP choice for Kamala Harris," highlighting his background as a veteran, responsible gun owner, former teacher, and committed advocate for farmers and American families. She also admired Walz for his resilience in confronting Trump’s disrespect and bullying during their interactions at the White House, particularly during crises. "Walz remained stoic, bipartisan, and stood by the residents of his state," she wrote, adding, "There is no doubt he will represent all Americans during this crucial period for our nation."

In a subsequent post, Troye shared how emotional it was to see Harris and Walz campaigning together in Philadelphia, describing the experience as "tear-jerking." Reflecting on her upbringing in a working-class family with a father who was a farm worker and truck driver, Troye felt a personal connection to Walz. "Watching the PA rally moved me deeply," she wrote. "This is an incredible duo poised to lead our country!"

Troye has also urged Pence, who suspended his own presidential campaign last year and has stated he will not endorse Trump, to "do the right thing" and support Harris. In response, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, dismissed Troye’s remarks, stating, "Nobody cares what Olivia Troye has to say."

Troye is involved with Harris’ new initiative, "Republicans for Harris," aimed at attracting Republican voters disillusioned with Trump. The Harris campaign launched this program on Sunday to engage Republican voters who are opposed to Trump’s "chaos, division, and violence" and his Project 2025 agenda. The announcement of the program featured endorsements from Troye and Stephanie Grisham, another former Trump administration official.

"As a lifelong Republican, I may not agree with Kamala Harris on every issue, but I trust her to safeguard our freedoms, uphold the rule of law, and provide stable leadership on the global stage," Troye wrote on X. "That’s why I’m voting for Kamala Harris."

Troye emphasized her firsthand experience with the "destruction" and "chaos" of the Trump administration and warned that a second Trump term would lead to even more turmoil.

Additional Republicans endorsing Harris and Walz include former cabinet secretaries Chuck Hagel and Ray LaHood, former governors Jim Edgar, Bill Weld, and Christine Todd Whitman, and former members of Congress Adam Kinzinger, Claudine Schneider, and Joe Walsh.