Republicans Endorse Democrats Ahead of 2026 US Midterm Elections

 More Prominent Republicans Endorse Democrats Ahead of the 2026 US Midterm Elections

By Lamiel Side News | October 18, 2026

A growing number of prominent Republicans are backing Democratic candidates in key US elections ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. The endorsements span several states and include former members of Congress, ex-governors and other influential Republican figures.

The cross-party support reflects disagreements within the Republican Party over candidates, political leadership and policy decisions. However, it remains uncertain how much influence these endorsements will have on voters.

Ken Buck Backs Phil Weiser in Colorado

Former Republican congressman Ken Buck has endorsed Democratic Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in the state’s gubernatorial race.

Buck, who previously served in the US House of Representatives, has increasingly distanced himself from parts of his party’s political direction in recent years.

Weiser is competing against Republican nominee Victor Marx. Buck’s endorsement adds to a group of current and former Colorado Republicans who have publicly supported the Democratic candidate.

Don Bolduc Supports Chris Pappas in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, retired Army Brigadier General Don Bolduc has endorsed Democratic Representative Chris Pappas in the race for the US Senate.

The endorsement is notable because Bolduc was the Republican Senate nominee in New Hampshire in 2022. He is now supporting Pappas against Republican former senator John E. Sununu.

The move illustrates how political alliances can change between election cycles, even among candidates and figures who previously represented the same party.

Former Governors and Senators Back Democrats

Other Republican figures have also crossed party lines ahead of the midterms.

In Kansas, former governors Mike Hayden and Bill Graves are supporting Democratic pastor Adam Hamilton in his challenge to Republican Senator Roger Marshall. They have criticised Marshall’s support for policies associated with President Donald Trump, arguing that those policies are not in the interests of Kansas and the country.

Former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake has also endorsed Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in Georgia, where Ossoff is seeking re-election against Republican Representative Mike Collins.

In Montana, former governor Marc Racicot is backing Democratic congressional candidate Sam Forstag. In Florida, former senator Mel Martinez has endorsed Democrat Bale Dalton in a congressional race.

Meanwhile, former Illinois Republican legislative leader Jim Durkin has endorsed Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker for re-election.

Cross-Party Support in Texas and South Dakota

Texas has also seen prominent Republicans support Democratic candidates. Some well-known Republican figures are backing state Representative James Talarico in the Senate race against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Former Republican strategist Karl Rove has also said he will support Democrat Jon Rosenthal in the Texas railroad commissioner election rather than Republican candidate Bo French.

In South Dakota, Republican Secretary of State Monae Johnson is supporting the Democratic candidate for her office after losing at her party’s convention.

These endorsements differ in their motivations. Some Republicans have raised objections to particular policies or candidates, while others have longstanding political disagreements with their party’s nominees.

Democrats Have Also Received Republican Support Before

Cross-party endorsements are not new in American politics. During the 2024 presidential election, several prominent Republicans supported Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, including former Vice President Dick Cheney, former Representative Liz Cheney and former Senator Jeff Flake.

Such endorsements do not necessarily translate into electoral victories. Voters may consider a wide range of issues, including the economy, immigration, healthcare, candidate experience and party loyalty, when deciding how to vote.

Some moderate Democrats and former Democratic politicians have also supported Republican candidates in the 2026 elections, showing that political crossovers can occur in both directions.

What the Endorsements Could Mean

The growing number of Republican endorsements for Democrats has attracted attention as candidates campaign for control of Congress and important state offices.

The endorsements may help candidates appeal to voters who are dissatisfied with their own party’s nominees. However, their actual impact will depend on local political conditions, campaign messages, turnout and voters’ priorities.

Ultimately, public endorsements are only one part of an election campaign. The November midterm results will determine whether these cross-party alliances translate into meaningful changes at the ballot box.

Sources: CNN, Axios, Colorado Newsline and official campaign announcements. Links are provided below for readers seeking further information.

Sources

- CNN: "A growing number of prominent Republicans are endorsing Democrats in 2026" (https://www.cnn.com/)

- Axios: "Trump’s former Senate pick backs Democrat in New Hampshire" (https://www.axios.com/2026/10/15/chris-pappas-don-bolduc-new-hampshire-senate-endorsement)

- Colorado Newsline: "Former Rep. Ken Buck tops list of Colorado Republicans endorsing Weiser for governor" (https://coloradonewsline.com/2026/10/14/ken-buck-colorado-republicans-endorsing-weiser/)

- Chris Pappas for Senate: "Campaign announces Republican and independent endorsements" (https://chrispappas.org/2026/10/chris-pappas-for-senate-unveils-country-before-party-steering-committee-of-republicans-and-independents-who-are-endorsing-the-campaign/)