Jerushah Duford, the granddaughter of the late Rev. Billy Graham, recently made headlines for her decision not to vote for Donald Trump in the upcoming election. In a bold move, she endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris for president in a powerful opinion piece for Newsweek. Duford, a licensed therapist, further explained her reasoning in a recent appearance on CNN, where she criticized Trump for failing to represent the basic principles of their faith.
Duford expressed her disappointment in Trump’s lack of kindness and gentleness, citing his recent rally in New York City where offensive comments were made, including a derogatory remark about Puerto Rico. She emphasized that Trump has consistently failed to embody the core values of their faith since 2016, and she finds it discouraging that she even has to address these issues.
In response to a question about how the Harris campaign might engage with her religious community, Duford admitted that many may not be open to listening. She highlighted a disconnect between what some church leaders are advocating for and what the scriptures actually teach, causing a conflict for many in her community.
Addressing the contentious issue of abortion, Duford shared her belief that being pro-life extends beyond the womb to the grave. She criticized the Trump administration for their policies that she believes dehumanize individuals and labeled them as “human garbage.”
Duford’s stance puts her in contrast with her uncle, Franklin Graham, a vocal supporter of Trump. However, she joins a growing number of prominent Republicans who have endorsed Harris, including former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney.
Overall, Duford’s decision to endorse Harris over Trump is a significant statement within the evangelical community and reflects a broader shift among some Republicans in this election cycle. Her courage to speak out against the current administration’s policies and actions serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning political choices with personal values and faith beliefs.
