WASHINGTON — An open letter obtained exclusively by YSL News reveals that over 200 Republicans who once worked for former President George W. Bush, the late Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., or Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

This endorsement comes in the wake of a Democratic National Convention held last week in Chicago, which highlighted Republican dissenters towards the GOP nominee. The letter has a total of 238 signatures, including five former aides of President George H.W. Bush.

A similar group of about 150 anti-Trump former staffers from the campaigns of Bush, McCain, and Romney had previously supported President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

“We unite today, along with new alumni from George H.W. Bush’s administration, to reaffirm our statements from 2020 and to jointly announce our support for Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz this November,” the letter states. “While we do have genuine ideological differences with Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz, the alternative is simply unacceptable.”

Among the signatories supporting Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are notable figures such as former McCain chiefs of staff Mark Salter and Chris Koch; Joe Donoghue, former legislative director for McCain; Jennifer Lux, who was press secretary for McCain’s 2008 campaign; and Jean Becker, a long-time chief of staff for George H.W. Bush.

Also endorsing Harris are David Nierenberg, who served as Romney’s finance chair in 2012; David Garman, undersecretary of Energy under George W. Bush; and Olivia Troye, a former advisor to both George W. Bush and Vice President Mike Pence. Troye delivered remarks from the DNC stage last week.

“Continuing Donald Trump’s tumultuous leadership for another four years, with its focus on pursuing the risky objectives of Project 2025, will negatively impact everyday Americans and undermine our vital institutions,” the letter warns, referencing the Heritage Foundation’s policy initiative from which the Trump campaign has attempted to distance itself.

“Internationally, democratic efforts will face irreversible challenges as Trump and his ally JD Vance appease dictators like Vladimir Putin while neglecting our allies. We cannot allow this to occur.”

There is a well-documented rivalry between the supporters of McCain, Romney, and Bush against Trump.

Romney, who voted to impeach Trump while in the Senate, has stated he will not back Trump in the 2024 election, although he has not endorsed Harris either. Bush, whose family has historically been at odds with Trump, skipped last month’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee but has not publicly criticized Trump. Trump infamously stated that McCain was “not a war hero” during his 2015 campaign. Four years ago, McCain’s widow, Cindy McCain, endorsed Biden over Trump.

Other signers include Reed Galen, McCain’s deputy campaign manager and co-founder of the Lincoln Project; Jim Swift, a former Republican operative now with The Bulwark, an anti-Trump publication; and former McCain campaign strategist Mike Murphy.

Based on 2020 exit polling and other voter data, the group asserts that it was “moderate Republicans and conservative independents in key swing states” who played a crucial role in Biden’s electoral win, ultimately leading to the

In a recent letter, a group expressed support for Biden, emphasizing that Americans should prioritize their country over political affiliations. They urged moderate and independent voters to courageously support Harris against Trump in the upcoming election.

The Harris campaign has actively sought to emphasize its endorsement from Republicans who are against Trump. They launched a “Republicans for Harris” initiative this month and showcased Republican speakers during the previous week’s conventions.

Speakers from the Republican side included former Rep. Adam Kinzinger from Illinois, who was part of the House panel investigating Trump’s attempts to alter the 2020 election results; former Trump press secretary Stephanie Grisham; former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan; Mesa, Arizona’s Mayor John Giles; and Troye, who provided advice on homeland security and counterterrorism to Pence. Pence has publicly stated that he will not endorse Trump for the presidency.

This past weekend, a group of a dozen prominent Republican lawyers who had previously worked for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush announced their endorsement of Harris for president. This group included conservative former federal appellate Judge Michael Luttig, who stated he plans to vote for a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time.

For inquiries, reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly known as Twitter, @joeygarrison.