Some Republicans in Virginia are crossing party lines to support Vice President Kamala Harris in the election, continuing a long-standing tradition in Virginia politics.

For many years, it was a tradition in Virginia politics for state Democrats to remain silent about national Democrats they didn’t like and didn’t want to vote for. During Senator Harry Byrd’s administration, this was known as the golden silence. And John Milliken of George Mason University says it worked.

“He simply didn’t say anything about the presidential campaign,” Milliken explains. “But most of his supporters saw that as a sign that they could safely vote for a Republican at the national level without fear of any consequences.”

Today, the situation is much clearer. In 2016, former Republican Senator John Warner endorsed Hillary Clinton. And now former Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Former Republican Delegate David Ramadan now teaches at George Mason University’s Schar School and predicts that many more “Never Trump” Republicans will emerge in Virginia.

“Simply because the other side is outrageous and the election is one of those momentous elections,” says Ramadan. “In such scenarios, you cannot remain silent.”

Republicans hope to be successful in Virginia this year, where no Republican has won the 13 electoral votes since George W. Bush was re-elected 20 years ago.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radiowas made possible with the support of Virginia Education Association.