Barbara Pierce Bush, the daughter of former President George W. Bush, has announced her support for Kamala Harris, a Democrat, just days before the 2024 election. And she’s not just talking about it—she’s actually campaigning for Harris in Pennsylvania, a key swing state. Barbara said it herself, “I’m hopeful they’ll move our country forward and protect women’s rights.” It’s not every day you see someone from a well-known Republican family openly backing a Democrat, and this support speaks volumes.
Barbara’s support is very surprising, but it’s not the first time a Republican leader’s child has taken a stand like this. Recently, other famous Republicans’ kids, like Susan Ford Bales (daughter of President Gerald Ford) and Liz Cheney (daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney), also said they’d vote for Kamala Harris. These choices aren’t random—they show a clear divide between today’s Republican leaders and their own families.
This isn’t even the first time Barbara’s family has taken a different approach than the traditional Republican stance. Her mother, Laura Bush, surprised many in 2010 when she said she supported same-sex marriage and a woman’s right to choose. Back then, she said, “Abortion should remain legal, because I think it’s important for people, for medical reasons and other reasons.” These views were already a bit of a shift from the standard Republican line, and Barbara’s recent statements seem to carry that same spirit.
So, why are these prominent Republican families speaking out? Well, it could have a lot to do with the direction of the Republican Party, especially under Donald Trump’s influence. Many moderate Republicans have become uncomfortable with the party’s stance on various issues like women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and health care. Under Trump, the party took a hardline approach, often stirring controversy and division. This new generation of Bushes, Cheneys, and Fords might be signaling that they don’t want to see the country go down that path.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Liz Cheney’s words echo this sentiment: “Thank you, Barbara Bush, for standing for truth, decency, and freedom.” That’s a powerful statement coming from Cheney, who has been very vocal about her disagreements with Trump and his approach to politics. In fact, Liz Cheney was one of the few Republicans to actively push for Trump’s impeachment after the January 6 Capitol riot. She has warned repeatedly about Trump’s influence, saying it’s dangerous for democracy.
For Barbara Bush, her support for Kamala Harris likely means she’s looking for leadership that stands up for people’s rights and unites rather than divides. Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, have promised to fight for women’s rights, health care, and equality. These are the very things that seem to have drawn Barbara in—values that perhaps her father’s party no longer prioritizes as it once did.
Featured image via Screengrab
