Republican Who Endorsed Kamala Harris Pushed to Resign From GOP

Matthew McCaffery's position within the Republican Party is under threat after he publicly endorsed a Democrat for president. McCaffery, who has been serving as the Republican municipal chair in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania, recently declared his support for President Joe Biden, citing concerns over former President Donald Trump's rhetoric, his approach to the U.S. military, and his handling of the Capitol riot.

McCaffery's endorsement comes amid a notable shift among some Republicans. A faction within the party, including former Trump administration officials, have publicly backed Vice President Kamala Harris, even organizing a "Republicans for Harris" event. Despite voting for Trump in 2016, McCaffery's support for Biden reflects his disillusionment with Trump's leadership.

Since his endorsement, McCaffery has actively promoted Harris on social media, urging Republicans to reconsider their support for Trump. He revealed to Newsweek that while some committee members privately share his concerns about Trump, they are prepared to vote for him regardless. Conversely, he noted that there are Republicans in Montgomery County who are either inclined to vote for Harris or consider other candidates.

The backlash from Montgomery County Republicans has been significant, with calls for McCaffery's resignation intensifying. His disciplinary hearing is scheduled for August 19, and he anticipates that his tenure as municipal chair will likely end following the hearing.

McCaffery acknowledged the backlash but expressed that it has been less severe than anticipated. He expressed gratitude for those within the party who, despite disagreeing with his stance, respect his position and appreciate his transparency about wanting to move the party away from what he perceives as Trump-induced chaos affecting Republican candidates in Pennsylvania.

Christian Nascimento, chair of the Montgomery County Republican Committee, emphasized to NBC10 Philadelphia that party bylaws require committee members to support the endorsed ticket. While he did not specify the potential disciplinary actions, he indicated that McCaffery's actions have breached these bylaws.

McCaffery conceded that he did not adhere to the party rules but resisted calls for his resignation. In a July op-ed for The Philadelphia Inquirer, McCaffery expressed his discontent with Trump, citing the former president's disregard for military service members and his extreme rhetoric. Although McCaffery admitted to disagreements with Biden, he commended him for his respect towards the armed forces.

Reflecting on his initial vote for Trump, McCaffery noted that he sought a change from the political status quo and hoped Trump would moderate his rhetoric after taking office. However, McCaffery expressed alignment with former Secretary of Defense James Mattis's assessment that Trump posed a threat to democracy.

As Pennsylvania emerges as a pivotal swing state, recent polls indicate a close race between Harris and Trump. An August poll by the New York Times/Siena College shows Harris leading Trump by 4 percentage points, while a July poll had Trump ahead by 1 percentage point.

Harris is actively seeking to attract disillusioned Republicans, receiving endorsements from Trump critics such as former Representatives Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney, and former Trump White House officials Stephanie Grisham and Olivia Troye. Despite these efforts, early polls suggest that Harris has not gained as much support among Republicans as Biden did.

McCaffery articulated his concerns about Trump's first term, emphasizing his reluctance to witness a repeat of that administration. He remains committed to opposing another Trump presidency, even if it means confronting challenges within his own party.