3 things likely to come out of the Republican convention

Republicans from across the country will meet as planned for the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, despite the close call on former President Donald Trump’s life on Saturday.

After a shooter opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, striking Trump’s ear but killing one rally attendee and critically wounding two others, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee was considering delaying his trip to Wisconsin and the convention by two days. He ultimately decided, however, that he “cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else,” he said on his social media Sunday.

“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States,” the National Republican Committee and Trump campaign said in a statement. “As our party’s nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again.”

The party will officially select its presidential and vice presidential nominees at the convention, as well as highlight its platform and top issues while rallying its base ahead of the November election.

Before the attempted assassination, the mood was expected to be jovial and enthusiastic as the national Democratic party struggles with the viability of President Joe Biden’s re-election bid. Now in the shadow of Trump’s attempted assassination, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley called for unity, strength and prayers to the families affected, saying politics is now secondary.

The Review-Journal will be in Milwaukee to report on the convention’s activities, Nevada’s delegates and the general mood of the convention goers.

Here are three things to watch at the convention:

1. Trump will pick his VP

The presumed GOP presidential nominee is expected to announce his vice presidential pick soon, and he has reportedly narrowed the options to Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

Trump told the Review-Journal in June that he has an obligation to pick a vice president who can capably serve as president if something happened to him.

“I think it’s very important that if something should happen where the vice president has to kick into gear, we want to make sure we have a great one,” he said. When asked if someone in particular fits his bill of a good vice president, he did not answer, saying there were a lot of options.

2. Republicans will highlight their platform

Last week, the Republican National Committee adopted Trump’s 2024 Republican Party Platform, which highlights the party’s vision and the focus of the party if Trump retakes the White House.

It focuses on the border, the economy, energy production, the depleted military and attacks on the justice system.

The platform specifically calls for large tax cuts for workers and no taxes on tips — a proposal that could attract Nevada’s large workforce in the hospitality industry.

“If you look at the platform, all of it impacts Nevada. I don’t think you can look at the platform and say it doesn’t,” said Nevada Republican National Committeewoman Sigal Chattah.

The party’s push for energy independence is important for Nevada, which is home to the country’s largest lithium reserve. Immigration also has a massive effect on Nevada, Chattah said, and Nevada is home to many retirees, so the party’s promise to protect Social Security and Medicare is also important, she said.

Also of note is what’s missing from the platform. For the first time in 40 years, the platform makes no mention of abortion, an issue that proved fatal to many Republican candidates in 2022 after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court and voters overwhelmingly supported protecting the right to an abortion. The platform also softens the party’s stance on same-sex marriage.

Chattah believes the platform is a “preservation of America.”

“Did it create a lot of antagonism with the pro-life groups and the Christians that have an issue with gay marriage? Yes it did,” she said. “But I think this is the best big 10 platform that the GOP has had in decades.”

The Trump campaign and the RNC have been working to separate themselves from the controversial Project 2025, a blueprint of policy proposals led by the Heritage Foundation that a Republican presidential candidate could implement in 2025.

The policy proposals were written by people close to Trump, including Russ Vought, his former acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, as well as Ken Cuccinelli, who served as the acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

3. Nevada’s prominence will be showcased

The Silver State has been and will continue to be closely watched as the election cycle continues. Its importance on a national level is demonstrated by the many visits from top politicians, including multiple visits by Vice President Kamala Harris.

“It shows how Nevada is a true battleground state, and how important Nevada is in this election,” Nevada GOP Chairman Michael McDonald said.

That prominence will continue at the convention. Members of Nevada’s GOP delegation are playing large roles within the convention, the national party and Trump campaign, according to state party leaders.

“You might be surprised by how much influence we do have back there,” McDonald said.

McDonald will give a speech ahead of the official presentation of the nomination and present the official party’s nomination to Trump, according to a source familiar with the convention. He also was appointed a temporary chairman of the convention and recently took on a role as a senior adviser for the Trump campaign.

Chattah was appointed an assistant sergeant of arms to help with law enforcement at the convention, and she said she’s also part of an election integrity committee. Chattah said Nevada is a strong voice at the RNC because of those roles, and her role in election litigation.

McDonald said he also hopes to highlight the viability of Las Vegas as a destination for a future convention.

The lineup of speakers at the convention includes other Nevadans. GOP Senate candidate Sam Brown is scheduled to speak during the convention, according to a source familiar with the convention. Dana White, chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, also is expected to give a speech ahead of Trump, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Contact Jessica Hill at jehill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @jess_hillyeah on X.