Republican former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent backs Kamala Harris for president | The Pennsylvania Independent
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Vice President and Democratic candidate for president Kamala Harris speaks at a rally in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Nathan Morris/NurPhoto via AP)

Pennsylvania Republican and former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential candidacy on Oct. 17, praising her as “a capable leader who will always put the interests of our country before her own” and warning that former President Donald Trump is unfit for the job.

“Trump’s hopelessly flawed character, never ending assault on norms, tradition, the rule of law and constitutional order disqualify him from ever again holding a position of public trust,” Dent said in a statement to the Lehigh Valley News after casting an absentee vote for Harris. “His affection for autocrats like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jung Un, his hostility toward the free press, our allies, and anyone who dares to disagree with him are reprehensible.”

Dent also said that Trump’s economic proposals would harm Pennsylvania workers: “Trump’s proposed across the board, indiscriminate tariffs would wreak havoc on the economy, causing enormous hardships and disruptions for American manufacturing and agriculture. No doubt American workers and consumers will pay the heaviest price of all.”

Economists say Trump’s proposals, including new tariffs on all imported goods coming into the country, would cause a spike in inflation, increase the federal budget deficit, reduce employment, and lower the nation’s GDP.

Dent represented the 15th Congressional District, which at the time was drawn to include the area in and around Allentown in eastern Pennsylvania, from 2005 to 2018. According to the FiveThirtyEight tracker, he voted with Trump 93% of the time.

Dent concluded his statement to the Lehigh Valley News by saying, “In this election, Kamala Harris is clearly the better choice.”

He joins a growing list of prominent Republicans who are backing Harris over Trump. In August, former Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Jim Greenwood and former Lancaster County Republican Committee chair Ann Womble announced they would head the Pennsylvania Republicans for Harris effort. 

On Oct. 16, Harris campaigned in Bucks County with Republican backers.

“I am joined today by over 100 Republican leaders from across Pennsylvania and across our country who are supporting my candidacy for president of the United States, and I am deeply honored to have their support,” Harris said at the event in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. “We are here today because we share a core belief that we must put country before party.”

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