Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, where he asserted that the Republican Party is "no longer conservative" under the influence of former President Trump.
**Why it matters:** Kinzinger, once a dedicated Republican, has emerged as a leading figure among anti-Trump Republicans who are now backing Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
**What he's saying:** "I served as a Republican for 12 years in Congress, and I still hold onto that label. I never imagined I'd be speaking here... and I'm sure you never thought you'd see me here," Kinzinger said during his prime-time address. "But I've come to understand something about the Democratic Party, and I want to share it with my fellow Republicans: The Democrats are just as patriotic as we are."
Kinzinger argued that the GOP has "shifted its allegiance from the principles that once defined it to a man whose only purpose is self-interest."
**State of play:** Kinzinger voted to impeach Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and later served on the select committee that investigated the insurrection. He has since launched an advocacy group called Country First, aiming to "improve political dialogue and restore trust in our institutions."
GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger endorses Democrats in key state races.
Outgoing Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, a staunch critic of former President Trump and opponents of election denial within his party, announced on Tuesday that he is endorsing both Democratic and certain Republican candidates in upcoming state elections.
**Why It Matters:** Kinzinger's endorsements mark a significant departure from the GOP and highlight his commitment to "preserving our nation’s democracy," as he stated.
**Key Developments:** Kinzinger endorsed four Democratic candidates for secretary of state positions:
- **Steve Simon** in Minnesota
- **Jocelyn Benson** in Michigan
- **Adrian Fontes** in Arizona
- **Cisco Aguilar** in Nevada
These endorsements were first reported by Politico. Kinzinger justified his bipartisan support by emphasizing the importance of these roles in safeguarding against potential constitutional crises in 2024. He remarked, "A badly placed, bad-faith secretary of state can really throw the whole country into chaos."
**Details:** Not seeking re-election, Kinzinger made these endorsements through his political action committee, Country First. Additionally, he supported several Republican candidates, including Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who resisted efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and won his primary against a Trump-backed challenger. Country First stated, "We have selected candidates who put country over party and will uphold their oaths to defend democracy — no matter what."
**The Bigger Picture:** Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the only other Republican who served on the January 6 select committee alongside Kinzinger, has also been a vocal critic of former President Trump. However, she has not made any formal endorsements. Recently, Cheney urged Arizona voters to oppose the state's Republican nominee for governor, Kari Lake, and secretary of state candidate Mark Finchem, stating, "They both said that they will only honor the results of an election if they agree with it," during an event at Arizona State University.
**State of Play:** More than 200 election deniers—candidates who promote unfounded claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump—are set to appear on ballots in November, according to David Nather of Axios.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger has joined CNN.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) has joined CNN as a senior political commentator, the network announced on Wednesday.
**The Big Picture:** Kinzinger, who served as one of two Republican members on the House Jan. 6 committee, ended his sixth term in Congress this week after choosing not to seek re-election.
**Background:** A vocal critic of former President Trump and election deniers within the GOP, Kinzinger was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for inciting the Capitol insurrection. Throughout his tenure, he faced threats related to his work on investigating the Capitol riot. Late last year, Kinzinger endorsed both Democratic and Republican candidates in state elections, further signaling his break from the GOP.
**What They're Saying:** "Kinzinger joins CNN with extensive experience in GOP politics," the network stated. The former congressman also expressed his enthusiasm, tweeting, "Happy to join the team @CNN!"
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