WASHINGTON — Former Rep. Liz Cheney, Republican of Wyoming, joins the University of Virginia as a professor of practice, the university’s Center for Politics. Announced Wednesday.
«With democracy under fire in this country and around the world, Liz Cheney is a model of political courage and leadership. Liz will send a compelling message to students about integrity. She is a true profile of courage, and she was willing to pay the price for its principles, and democracy itself,» the center’s director, Larry Sabato, said in a statement.
Cheney said he hopes his work at the university «will help find lasting solutions that not only preserve but strengthen our democracy» at a time when «our system of government faces many threats,» in a statement shared by the center.
«Preserving our constitutional republic is the most important work of our time, and our nation’s youth will play a crucial role in this effort,» Cheney said. «I look forward to working with students and colleagues at the Center to advance the important work they and others at the University of Virginia are doing to improve the health of democracy here and around the world.»
His appointment is effective immediately and will run through the fall semester of this year, with the option to renew it for one or more years, the Policy Center said.
After three terms in office, Cheney left Congress in January after losing the November primary to Harriet Hageman, a candidate backed by former President Donald Trump. During her tenure, she served as chair of the House Republican Conference, a position from which she was ousted after she rebuked Trump, and as vice chair of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack.
The former lawmaker had previously said she was considering a potential presidential run in 2024 and has repeatedly said she plans to do whatever it takes to defeat Trump and ensure he doesn’t serve a second term in the White House.