Choosing to officially support Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, outgoing Mesa Mayor John Giles urged Arizona Republicans to support her, claiming that outgoing President Donald Trump “poses a threat” to the country.
Twenty-one living and deceased mayors from throughout Arizona, including Republican-registered Giles, supported Harris. The most well-known Republican mayor to do so was him.
Mayors Corey Woods of Tempe, Regina Romero of Tucson, and Kate Gallego of Phoenix are among the other well-known mayors who have endorsed Harris.
Although Arizonan municipal leaders do not run as Democrats or Republicans, their party connections give their public endorsements more clout.
In an opinion piece published in The Arizona Republic, he stated that it was time to “return to the core foundations of the Grand Old Party” and to select a leader who would put country before party.
Giles has previously supported a democratic candidate. He supported U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly’s campaign for a second term in 2022. Later, GOP precincts in his legislative districts censured him. Giles backed Gov. Katie Hobbs’ 2022 campaign for governor as well.
Giles has declined to defect from the Republican side. He stated in talks with The Arizona Republic that he is unwavering in his belief that the party still has space for a more centrist and moderate Republican.
Giles urged other Republicans in Arizona to stand with him in opposing Trump, echoing the words of Sen. John McCain, “Country First.”
Giles argued that in order to defeat Trump, Republicans, Democrats, and independent voters must unite “against a far-right agenda.”
“I’m standing with her because of it. Kamala Harris is the capable, equitable, and just leader that our nation needs. He wrote, “Too much is at stake this year to vote Republican at the top of the ticket.”
He highlighted the economic and job growth that Mesa, the third-biggest city in Arizona and the 36th largest city nationwide, has experienced under the Biden-Harris administration.
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