TEXAS — Republicans are past the halfway point of their national convention. Texas delegates have heard from various party leaders on the convention floor and during their daily breakfast meetings.
The delegates started their third morning in Wisconsin with a message from Texas first lady Cecilia Abbott.
“I believe so strongly in encouraging Texans to give back to their communities through volunteerism and in service. So I call it Texanthropy,” said Abbott.
Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller recounted his experience of witnessing the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump for delegates.
“A quarter inch to the left, and that’d of hit him right dead center in the brain. So, I mean, that’s as close as you can get and still be alive,” said Miller.
Many Texas Republicans see the attempt on Trump’s life as a unifying moment for the party.
“We need to deal carefully with each other. We need to be careful about our taunts, our jabs and the accusations that we make,” said U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-House District 17.
The amplified unity resulted in Texas congressional members accepting former Trump critic, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, to join Trump at the top of the ticket as the vice presidential nominee.
“He’s been able to serve this country through the military, serve through public service, and now we’re seeing that service elevated to a new position, hopefully come January. But he is a reflection of the American dream itself. And in Texas, that’s what we want,” said U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-House District 1.
Former congresswoman Marya Flores says having Trump and Vance as the party’s nominees could help her bid for reelection.
“We want that safe America and that strong America once again, and that’s what helps,” said Flores.
Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley addressed the entire convention Monday night and party members say the different shades of red make them stronger.
“Having others here at the convention that don’t necessarily hold the exact same view of conservative politics, I think, is a healthy thing for us to wrestle through to determine how are we going to coalesce and move forward in unity once President Trump and JD Vance are elected,” said Moran.
Sen. Ted Cruz is expected to address Texas delegates at Thursday’s breakfast.