To protect democracy, good people should be encouraged to run for office and voters should cast ballots for candidates of good character, even if it means crossing party lines, according to former Wyoming U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, now a professor of practice in the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

Cheney made her comments Wednesday evening during an event at Alumni Hall moderated by Center for Politics Director Larry J. Sabato.

“I think this is a moment where we really have to step above partisanship and look for serious people on both sides of the aisle that you can support,” Cheney said. “It’s a challenge because a lot of times when you go in to vote, you find you don’t have any great options.

“That’s why we need more people running for office. We need options. We need more people who are willing to get in and be candidates.”

Cheney said Congress can make laws to protect poll workers, address term limits and create legal election safeguards, but they won’t mean much if those elected ignore or purposefully thwart them.

“There are a number of areas where we could come to agreement in a bipartisan way,” she said. “We can do all of those things, but if we elect people who are going to blow through all the guardrails, then we’re still at risk.”

In March, Cheney accepted an appointment as professor of practice with the Center for Politics. She was on Grounds Tuesday evening and all day Wednesday for her first official visit as a professor.

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Cheney served as a Wyoming congresswoman from 2017 to 2023 and at one point had worked her way to No. 3 in the Republican Party hierarchy. She was inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when protesters and rioters broke into the building to disrupt the count of Electoral College votes.

She later co-chaired the U.S. House of Representatives’ Select Committee that investigated the attack and the attempt to prevent the transition of presidential power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden after the 2020 election.

Her high-profile role in the investigation led to intra-party opposition in her bid to win the 2022 Wyoming Republican primary, and ultimately to her defeat.

Sabato said Cheney “stood strong in the face of unprecedented attacks” after serving on the committee and publicly speaking out about Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 attacks.

“She’s sacrificed a lot,” Sabato said in his introduction of Cheney. “She sacrificed her political career. She may be back or not; you never know what the future holds. Losing is never a happy moment, although losing for the right cause can be.”

Cheney told the audience on Wednesday that Americans, old and young, need to take on the roles of democracy protectors.

“Our young people need to understand that you have to be involved and to make a difference,” she said. “I don’t think you have a choice. I don’t think any of us have a choice. The people who want to unravel our system are very engaged and very active and it’s going to take everybody on all sides of the political spectrum to stand against that.”

Liz Cheney with Larry J. Sabato in Pavilion IV
Center for Politics Director Larry J. Sabato on Tuesday greeted his department’s newest professor at Pavilion IV. At a reception in her honor, Cheney told the estimated 200 guests that students give her hope for democracy’s survival.
Liz Cheney addressing a reception of guests in the garden behing Pavilion IV
Cheney made introductory remarks Tuesday at a reception in the garden of Pavilion IV to gathered students, faculty and staff. She will serve as a professor of practice until the 2023 fall semester, with the chance to continue.
Liz Cheney with Malcolm Turnbull
The former congresswoman met former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was on Grounds on Wednesday as part of UVA Global’s program, “Democratic Leadership in a Populist Age.”
Liz Cheney with Larry Sabato talking to a class
Liz Cheney talks with Center for Politics Director Larry Sabato and students from several classes on Wednesday afternoon. She spoke to students in various classes throughout the day, including Media and Politics; the Kennedy Half-Century, and Democracy in Danger.
Liz Cheney with Larry Sabato talking to a class
Professors Larry J. Sabato and Liz Cheney talk with students during two classes in the Great Hall in Batten on Wednesday. Cheney served six years in the U.S. House of Representatives. She also served as the vice chair of the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection and lost her reelection bid in last August’s Wyoming Republican primary.
Liz Cheney, with William Hitchcock and Siva Vaidhyanathan leading a discussion in Nau Hall
Liz Cheney, with professors William Hitchcock and Siva Vaidhyanathan, leads 120 students in discussion during Wednesday afternoon’s Democracy in Danger class in Nau Hall.
Liz Cheney meets with Ian Solomon
Ian Solomon, dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, meets with Cheney on Wednesday afternoon.
Liz Cheney meets Jim Murray
Cheney greets UVA Board of Visitors member Jim Murray during a reception Wednesday.
Liz Cheney Meets with Jim Ryan
Cheney’s various stops across Grounds on her first day as professor of practice included one in Madison Hall to visit with UVA President Jim Ryan.
Liz Cheney in discussion with Larry Sabato
In a conversation moderated by Sabato, Cheney encouraged good people to run for political office and to vote for people of good character regardless of party politics.

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Bryan McKenzie

Assistant Editor, UVA Today Office of University Communications

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November 26, 2024

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