MILWAUKEE — A few minutes into Monday’s roll call vote, it was the Georgia delegation’s moment in the spotlight. The vote marked the official end to the GOP primary, though Donald Trump locked up the nomination months ago.
The delegation’s spokesman was Georgia GOP Chair Josh McKoon, a former state senator who was elected to the post as a pro-Trump advocate. He made clear there was little drama over how Georgia’s 59 delegates would vote.
Here’s what McKoon said:
“Georgia — the Empire State of the South. Georgia — the No. 1 state to do business in the United States of America. On Nov. 5, the Peach State will send 16 electoral votes for the once and future president of the United States, Donald J. Trump. And today, we proudly cast all 59 votes for President Donald J. Trump.”
Kelly Loeffler says everyone needs to take a breather
DELAVAN, Wis. — Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler joined the chorus of leaders who said there needs to be a “moment of reflection” about incendiary political messaging after a gunman tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
“We need to get back to talking about the issues,” the Republican told “Politically Georgia,” casting blame on Democrats for labeling Trump a threat to democracy. But pressed on divisive rhetoric from Republicans, she acknowledged her party also needs to reexamine its messaging.
“We all can do better,” she said. “None of us do this perfectly.”
Loeffler is one of Trump’s foremost allies in Georgia, and she and her husband have contributed $1 million to the Republican National Committee and $4.6 million to Trump so far this cycle.
With Trump leading President Joe Biden in polls in Georgia and other battleground states, Loeffler said, one of her sharpest concerns is overconfidence from the party’s base.
“I will tell you, the energy on the ground is strong and we have to keep that momentum,” she said. “We cannot let up. We can’t take anything for granted.”
Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC
Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC
Georgia delegates to RNC enjoy their slice of ‘Canada’
DELAVAN, Wis. — The Georgia contingent to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee isn’t actually staying in Milwaukee. It’s staying about 50 miles outside of the city at a lakeside resort in rural Wisconsin. Or, as some delegates snicker, “Canada.”
No, the bucolic property in the town of Delavan isn’t actually in another country. But the far-flung setting is a reminder of the cutthroat internal battle for prime hotel locations at the convention.
Since Milwaukee has a relatively small supply of hotels, delegations are scattered across the state. Some delegates are staying as far afield as Madison. Even the Wisconsin delegation was originally slated to stay down the coast of Lake Michigan in Racine.
The Georgia contingent, one of the largest at the RNC, seems to be adapting. And a shuttle from the hotel will make the 55-mile trek a few times each day.
Just don’t be late.
One attendee who missed the ride back to the hotel wound up with a $133 Uber charge.
Ex-Georgia GOP Chair Shafer says state’s delegates set to embrace Vance
Standing on the floor of the Fiserv Forum alongside fellow Georgia delegates, former Georgia GOP Chair David Shafer said there is an electricity in the air with the start of the Republican National Convention.
“The party is uniting behind Donald Trump just like the country is uniting behind Donald Trump,” Shafer said.
He said Georgia Republicans are grateful Trump survived Saturday’s assassination attempt and are excited about him going back to the White House. Shafer said the selection of Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance as Trump’s running mate makes for “an excellent ticket.”
“I think they are going to be a great president and vice president,” he said.
While Shafer is a Republican convention veteran, Ringgold’s Denise Burns is attending her first one. She is a voting delegate representing Georgia’s 14th Congressional District.
“Being in a room that is electric with excitement to renominate President Trump and to welcome JD Vance on the ticket with open arms is truly motivating,” Burns said. “We will be working hard this fall to get them both elected with record numbers in Georgia.”
U.S. House members from Georgia praise Vance selection
A beaming smile was on U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick’s face as he watched U.S. Sen. JD Vance take the stage at the Republican National Convention as it was announced that he will be joining former President Donald Trump’s ticket.
McCormick and Vance have bonded over their military service, and McCormick said he was proud to see his friend become the Republican nominee for vice president.
“Congratulations to U.S. Senator and America’s next Vice President @JDVance1,” McCormick, R-Suwanee, wrote on X. “You’ll never go wrong picking a Marine. Go get ‘em Devil Dog.” He attached a picture of the two of them, including McCormick’s same megawatt smile.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Rome, boasted on her feed that she was the first member of Congress to endorse Vance when he initially ran for the Senate seat he won in 2022. “We are so back,” U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, a Jackson Republican, wrote on his. U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde reposted a message from Ohio U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan calling Vance “a great American.”
U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-St. Simons Island, wrote that Vance “is the right candidate to help @realDonaldTrump make America great again! Like me, he has lived the American dream and is committed to preserving it for generations to come.”
