Former 6-Term GOP Assemblywoman Joins Group of Republicans Supporting Harris

Sheehan Donoghue, who represented Lincoln, Langlade and Oneida County in the Assembly from 1973-85, appeared on the Chad Holmes Show to explain why she is supporting the Democratic ticket this year.

She worked at the Republican National Committee after her college graduation. She worked for Richard Nixon in the early 1970’s for the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health. Then, for six terms, served as a Republican member of the State Assembly from Merrill. Now Sheehan Donoghue is supporting the Democratic ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Donoghue appeared on the Chad Holmes Show to explain why.

Donoghue served in the Assembly from 1973 to 1985 before leaving politics and returning to the University of Wisconsin to attend law school, where she graduated in 1987 and subsequently worked as a lawyer. She said that there used to be a time where Republicans and Democrats could disagree but still have cordial relationships.

“Things were very different when I was in office. Republicans and Democrats would fight on the floor of the Assembly and then go out and have a beer together, they talked. That’s when you got a lot of things done.”

Donoghue was a supporter of John McCain, who talked about “country over party.” Donaghue says that is what she is looking at in standing for Harris and against Trump.

“It is the same today. You absolutely have to look at your country and vote for the good of your country and not for the good of the individual who thinks they are above the law.”

Donoghue says her vote for Harris, she voted in-person absentee for the Vice President this week in Plum Lake in Vilas County where she now resides, is based on the same values she has carried as a Republican her whole adult life.

“Republicans have always believed in the Rule of Law. They believe in stable government. They believe in honoring our commitments to foreign nations. Donald Trump has spurned the Constitution. He brought a mob to the Capitol and tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power….he has denigrated everyone who disagrees with him. He believes in absolutely loyalty to himself and not to the Constitution.”