Barbara Bush, daughter of former president George W. Bush, departs after an event with members of the Golden State Warriors basketball team to commemorate their 2022 NBA championship, held in the East Room of the White House in Washington. — AFP file

Barbara Bush, one of Republican former US president George W. Bush's daughters, has publicly endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in the closely contested White House race and actively campaigned for her over the weekend, as revealed to People magazine. At 42, Bush dedicated part of her weekend to canvassing for the vice president's campaign in Pennsylvania, a state widely regarded as pivotal in determining the outcome of the November election between Harris and Republican Donald Trump.

"It was truly inspiring to join friends and engage with voters on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign in Pennsylvania this weekend," she shared with People. "I am optimistic that they will propel our nation forward and safeguard women's rights."

Bush has been characterized as an independent thinker, although her family is undeniably part of the Republican establishment—her late grandfather, George H.W. Bush, also served as president. A select yet vocal group of prominent Republicans, disillusioned by Trump's extreme stances on issues from abortion to immigration and democracy, have thrown their support behind Harris.

George W. Bush, who presided in the Oval Office from 2001 to 2009, has thus far refrained from endorsing any candidate in the 2024 race and has maintained a largely silent stance on political matters post-presidency. However, Harris has already secured the backing of his vice president, Dick Cheney, and his daughter, former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, who has campaigned alongside Harris.

Barbara Bush, whose fraternal twin sister Jenna is employed by NBC, has been candid about her views on abortion and has previously advocated for Planned Parenthood, the nation's foremost reproductive health organization and advocacy group. Trump has touted the impact of his Supreme Court justice appointments in paving the way for the reversal of Roe v. Wade, effectively ending federal protections for abortion access.

Following the 2022 court ruling, at least 20 US states have implemented full or partial restrictions, positioning abortion as one of the central issues in this election cycle.

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