Excitement builds among county's Republicans
County Republicans are enjoying the “positive, pro-America” messaging of the Republican National Convention that began Monday.
“I think it's fantastic,” said Republican Delegate Tom King III, a delegate to the Republican National Convention for the 16th Congressional District. “It's looking at America as going forward in a positive way.”
Delegates representing Butler County include those from the following districts: 15th, Michelle Mustello, Richard Smead and James Vasilko; 16th, King, Timothy Butler and John Grenci; and 17th, Keith Rothfus, Lidia Comini Turzai and George Steigerwalt.
King said he participated in different calls leading up to the convention, and he cast his vote by proxy.
“My vote, of course, went to Donald Trump,” he said.
Trump's reelection bid was made official on the convention's first day Monday in a unanimous approval by the delegates.
Each day of the convention was titled under a specific theme. Monday was the “Land of Heroes,” Tuesday was the “Land of Promise,” Wednesday will be the “Land of Opportunity,” and Thursday will be the “Land of Greatness.”
On Tuesday, first lady Melania Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo headlined the second night of the convention. On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, will speak.
On Thursday, the final day, President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will speak.
Al Lindsay, chairman of the Butler County Republican Committee, said the Republican convention has a different look and feel than the Democratic Party's version one week ago.
“When I hear the terrible things said about our country on the other side, it's heartbreaking,” Lindsay said. “The Republicans are saying, this is a great country. We have issues, but we've always had issues. We stumble, we get back up and we keep going.”
King said the excitement of the party can be seen in each of the Trump campaign signs in lawns across the county, state and country.
“The Republicans in Butler County are energized,” he said. “I think the party is energized right now.”
Lindsay said Butler County Republicans are energized because they care about key issues at a time when the divide between the parties has never been greater.
He said Butler County Republicans are largely anti-abortion, Second Amendment supporters, and advocates for further oil and gas exploration.
“This is a race that involves issues,” Lindsay said. “These two parties are as different as they've ever been.”
King said Tuesday afternoon that he was looking forward to the speeches by the first lady and president as well as someone he believes could be a future presidential candidate in U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who will speak Thursday.
“I expect the first lady will be just terrific,” he said. “I know that the president will be dynamic on Thursday night.”
Lindsay said he is looking forward to hearing from Abby Johnson, an anti-abortion advocate, and Nicholas Sandman, a young student who was wrongfully accused of accosting a Native American protester while wearing a Trump hat.
Lindsay said he had already been impressed by two speakers in Sean Parnell, who is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-17th, and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.
Scott shared his personal experiences and talked about how Trump's decisions have promoted equality, especially in the economy.
At the end of his remarks, he talked about his grandfather's struggles with racism, segregation and poverty, but he lived long enough to see Scott achieve his goals.
“Our family went from cotton to Congress in one lifetime, and that's why I believe the next American century can be better than the last,” Scott said.
