The longest-serving Republican in the Wisconsin Legislature says he’s voting for Kamala Harris

Retiring after 42 years at the state Capitol, Sen. Rob Cowles of Green Bay tells Civic Media, “Trump has to be defeated, and we have to protect the Constitution.”

The senior member of the Wisconsin Legislature, Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) became the highest-ranking Republican in the state to announce his intention to vote for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election.

Cowles broke the news on the “Rational Revolution” talk show on the Civic Media radio network, which also airs UpNorthNews Radio on weekday mornings. A conservative with impeccable credentials as well as a strong record on environmentalism and clean energy, Cowles draws the line at supporting former President Donald Trump, given his recent rhetoric and his role in trying to undermine the election in 2020.

“Trump has to be defeated, and we have to protect the Constitution,” Cowles told host Mark Becker. “And the country will go on, even with some liberal things that Harris might do, or might not do…You have to have the foundation of the Constitution, to protect democracy. If you don’t have that, we will disappear.”

“I really think this is one of the most important things I’ve done,” said Cowles. “Hopefully, people will accept that and listen to me, those that have trusted me and believed in me will think about that, and if they’re undecided, that we have to make a change here.” 

The news comes on the same day that local and national media were telling the story of Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly endorsing Harris. While the mayor’s office is nonpartisan, Reilly has long acknowledged being a Republican. 

“The reason I’m doing it is because I think we’re at a crossroads,” Reilly told the New York Times. “I’m very afraid of the direction our country will head in if Donald Trump becomes president. I think we’ll be heading down a road of authoritarianism and fascism.”

Cowles was first elected to the Assembly in 1982 and the Senate in 1987. He announced earlier this year, after the unveiling of new legislative maps, that he would not run for reelection in November. Cowles serves on the Legislative Audit Committee and noted that every examination of the 2020 election in Wisconsin finds that it was safe and secure.

“I believe this guy Trump is a totalitarian and very much a fascist,” Cowles said. “You know, the old adage, past is prologue, he’s indicated that in his words, in deeds, especially in trying to overturn a free and fair election.”

Where other Republicans felt politically threatened to work across the aisle, Cowles enjoyed the respect of Democrats—overcoming disagreements when possible to enact bipartisan legislation.

“I’ve always known Sen. Cowles to be a man of honesty and integrity,” Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement. “His endorsement today speaks not only to his values and character but also to the character of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.”