In a surprising turn of events, Geoff Duncan, a lifelong Republican and former lieutenant governor of Georgia, is urging his fellow Republicans to cast their votes for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. Duncan’s call comes as part of a broader movement within the Republican Party to distance itself from former President Donald Trump, whose influence continues to dominate GOP politics.

Speaking to CNN on Monday, Duncan made a passionate plea to swing-state voters in traditionally red regions like Georgia and North Carolina, encouraging them to vote for Harris, even if they are Republicans. “The folks we’re speaking to in North Carolina and Georgia are folks that were trying to get off the couch to have the courage to not just sit this one out, but to go vote for Kamala Harris,” he said.

Duncan emphasized that this push is not about switching party loyalty but about patriotism and preserving democracy. “We’re not asking Republicans to become Democrats,” he explained. “We’re asking them to stand up for their country and vote for Harris because she represents stability, democracy, and integrity, qualities Donald Trump has repeatedly undermined.”

Duncan, who has openly endorsed Harris, went on to criticize Trump’s continued influence on the GOP, calling him a “boat anchor around Republicans’ necks.” He did not hold back in his condemnation, stating that Trump does not embody the values the Republican Party should stand for. “Every time he speaks about faith, fiscal conservatism, or the military, it’s a fraud. He’s a direct threat to democracy,” Duncan said.

This shift in support for Harris follows a growing trend among former Trump allies and Republicans who are increasingly distancing themselves from the former president. Many within the GOP express discomfort with Trump’s admiration for authoritarian leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un—three modern dictators who have drawn international condemnation for their oppressive regimes. Trump’s public statements expressing support for these leaders have further alienated some members of his party.

Duncan’s break from Trump first became evident when he spoke at the Democratic National Convention in August, declaring that after Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, he realized the former president posed a “direct threat” to democracy. Prior to Harris securing the Democratic nomination, Duncan had announced his intention to vote for President Joe Biden, a rare move for a high-profile Republican.

As the election draws closer, Duncan’s message is clear: the stakes are too high for Republicans to stay home or vote for Trump. By urging his fellow Republicans to vote for Harris, he joins a growing chorus of conservatives who believe the future of American democracy depends on breaking with Trump’s toxic influence.