Arizona Mayor John Giles Supports Harris for President

John Giles, the Republican mayor of Mesa, Arizona, has publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency, marking a significant departure from party lines. In an opinion piece for the Arizona Republic, Giles, who has served as mayor since 2014, criticized former President Donald Trump for his refusal to accept the 2020 election results, suggesting that this has led to a lack of direction within the Republican Party. He emphasized that the party's core values of opportunity and security for all Arizonans have been compromised. Giles highlighted the disparity in federal support for cities under Trump compared to the funding provided by the Biden-Harris administration, particularly in infrastructure and technology. He expressed concern that moderate conservatives feel alienated within the current political landscape, stating, “Conservative-leaning people, who aren’t extremists, no longer have a home.” His endorsement of Democratic candidates, including Mark Kelly in 2022, reflects his growing discontent with the direction of the Republican Party. In his article, Giles articulated his fears regarding the potential impact of Trump’s return to power, warning against the “extreme and dangerous” agenda of Project 2025, which he believes could threaten individual rights and freedoms. He positioned Harris as a candidate committed to addressing critical issues such as gun violence and women's rights, asserting that the stakes are too high to support a Republican candidate at the top of the ticket in the upcoming election. Recent polls indicate Trump holds a narrow lead over Harris in Arizona.