Prominent Leaders Endorse Kamala Harris for Presidency

Over 90 company executives and over 100 current and retired law enforcement officials endorsed U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency. The business leaders praised her economic policies, while law enforcement officials highlighted her commitment to curbing gun violence and upholding the rule of law. Harris faces a tight race against former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.

More than 90 company executives, including the CEOs of Yelp and Chobani and former leaders of PepsiCo, Ford Motor Co, and Yahoo!, have endorsed U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency in a letter released on Friday.

In a separate statement, over 100 current and retired law enforcement officials also supported Harris in her contest against Republican former President Donald Trump ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election. They emphasized her background as a prosecutor and her dedication to reducing gun violence. Executives from top sports and investment companies expressed confidence that Harris would strengthen the economy and uphold American democracy.

"Harris has a solid track record of promoting business investment within the United States and ensuring that American companies can compete globally," they stated. "She will continue to advance fair and reliable policies that support the rule of law, stability, and a healthy business environment, striving to give every American the chance to pursue the American dream," the group added.

Signatories include billionaire Mark Cuban, former 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch, and Earvin "Magic" Johnson, as revealed in a letter obtained by Reuters and first reported by CNBC. Laurene Powell Jobs, head of the Emerson Collective and widow of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, also endorsed Harris, along with former CEOs of Merck, Aetna, GoDaddy, Blackstone, and Starbucks, among others.

Harris is facing a close race against Trump in a crucial election, with the economy and the future of U.S. democratic systems at the forefront for many voters. Both candidates are outlining their visions for jobs and economic growth as early voting begins in several U.S. states. Harris's economic plan includes tax cuts for most Americans, measures against grocery "price gouging," increased housing support, new child tax credits, and a 28% corporate tax rate. Key labor groups have also endorsed her.

Trump, in a recent address to the New York Economic Club, proposed reducing the corporate tax rate to 15% and hiring billionaire supporter Elon Musk to audit the U.S. government. He also plans large-scale housing construction on public lands and a national emergency declaration to eliminate regulations for energy projects. Goldman Sachs analysts predict that economic output could suffer next year if Trump wins, primarily due to increased tariffs and stricter immigration controls.

Under a Harris administration, analysts expect stronger job growth and a slight boost to GDP. The current and retired law enforcement officials criticized Trump's proposed cuts to law enforcement funding, his own criminal charges, and his promises to pardon those convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack and terminate the Constitution.

"Trump has consistently shown disregard for law enforcement and the rule of law," they wrote. "He creates chaos that endangers law enforcement and all Americans." The group includes law enforcement leaders from Atlanta, Bloomington, Indiana, Arlington, Virginia, Stonecrest, Georgia, Henderson, Nevada, and other areas, as well as retired police chiefs from Philadelphia, Washington, Seattle, and Oakland, California.

(With inputs from agencies.)