Co-chair of Haley’s Iowa campaign endorses Harris

Dawn Roberts, the co-chair of former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s campaign in Iowa, said Friday is endorsing Vice President Harris for president.

In a column in the Des Moines Register, Roberts said she was “at a loss” when both of the presidential candidates were in or near their 80s. As a lifelong Republican, she chose to support Haley.

Now, unlike Haley, who endorsed former President Trump, Roberts said she will vote for Harris.

“I was impressed with how she handled herself saying that she wanted to ‘earn everyone’s support.’ She showed willingness to listen to a wider range of views to solve problems,” Roberts wrote. “So I am supporting Kamala Harris for president.”

Roberts and her late husband Steve have had a long history in politics. He served as the chair of the Republican State Central Committee and was a national committee member for 20 years before dying in late 2020. Her political work, meanwhile, dates to 1974, when she served as Iowa co-chair for President Ford’s campaign.

Roberts praised Harris’s embrace of new ideas and people at last month’s Democratic National Convention. Harris brought together diverse individuals to solve problems, Roberts noted, saying she thinks that is “a healthier and wiser way to lead.” She said the vice president “continued to impress” by bringing the country together during her debate performance.

“It also doesn’t hurt that she (as the most qualified candidate running for president) happens to be a woman,” Roberts wrote. “My husband, Steve, often questioned why the United States has never had a female president. I think the time is now and Kamala Harris is the person to lead our country into the future.”

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.