ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, a Republican who represented the Lehigh Valley in Congress for 13 years, said Thursday he voted for Democrat Kamala Harris for president.
Dent, an Allentown native who left Congress in 2018, said he was endorsing Harris over former President Donald Trump. He endorsed Democrat Joe Biden over Trump in 2020.
He told LehighValleyNews.com he voted for Harris by absentee ballot last week.
"(Harris) and I will not agree on every issue, but in her, we have a capable leader who will always put the interests of our country before her own, unlike her opponent who will always put his personal interests ahead of those of the United States," Dent said in a statement.
Dent, a moderate Republican who was elected and served in Congress or the Pennsylvania Legislature for 27 years, left the U.S. House midway through Trump’s presidential term.
"(Harris) and I will not agree on every issue, but in her, we have a capable leader who will always put the interests of our country before her own, unlike her opponent who will always put his personal interests ahead of those of the United States."Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent
"We have the opportunity — and solemn responsibility — to finally turn the page on the dark politics Trump has ushered in and elect a decent, honorable leader for President," Dent said in the statement.
His rejection of Trump has been well documented, and his endorsement of Democrats is not unprecedented. In 2022 he also endorsed Josh Shapiro over Republican Doug Mastriano for Pennsylvania governor.
Dent is executive director and vice president of the Aspen Institute Congressional Program.
Here is Dent’s statement in full:
“Since the moment he rode down the gilded escalator in 2015, Donald Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his unfitness to hold public office, culminating with his worst moment on January 6, 2021. That day he incited a mob to attack the Capitol in a violent attempt to overturn the results of a democratic election and cling to power.
“Trump’s hopelessly flawed character, never ending assault on norms, tradition, the rule of law and constitutional order disqualify him from ever again holding a position of public trust. His affection for autocrats like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jung Un, his hostility toward the free press, our allies, and anyone who dares to disagree with him are reprehensible. Just this week, he repeatedly threatened to turn the military on U.S. citizens with whom he disagrees or deems ‘enemies from within.’ We have the opportunity – and solemn responsibility – to finally turn the page on the dark politics Trump has ushered in and elect a decent, honorable leader for President. Further, Trump’s proposed across the board, indiscriminate tariffs would wreak havoc on the economy, causing enormous hardships and disruptions for American manufacturing and agriculture. No doubt American workers and consumers will pay the heaviest price of all.
“As a lifelong Republican, I cast my absentee ballot in Allentown for Vice President Kamala Harris. She and I will not agree on every issue, but in her, we have a capable leader who will always put the interests of our country before her own, unlike her opponent who will always put his personal interests ahead of those of the United States.
“Should Kamala Harris be elected President, I hope her embrace of the political center continues and that she resists the inevitable pressure from extreme elements within her own party. It’s long past time for a new and better political discourse.
“In this election, Kamala Harris is clearly the better choice."
