Waukesha Mayor, GOP Senator Endorse Harris

Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly, once a Republican and now an independent, has publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, marking his first support for a Democrat. Reilly, who left the Republican Party after the January 6 Capitol riot, criticized former President Donald Trump, citing concerns about his character and potential threat to democracy. Reilly's endorsement of Harris aligns with similar support from Republican State Senator Rob Cowles, who also emphasized the need to defeat Trump for the sake of the Constitution. Both Reilly and Cowles have expressed fears of authoritarianism under Trump, highlighting the importance of the upcoming election. Harris's campaign has focused on gaining support from Republicans and independents, underscoring the significant stakes in battleground states like Wisconsin. The endorsements are seen as pivotal in the politically critical Milwaukee suburbs, which have been gradually shifting away from Republican dominance.