The Bay Area hosted the California Republican Party Convention this weekend.
It was a Trump-heavy convention because the keynote speakers included Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law and Eric Trump’s wife, Lara Trump, and South Dakota’s Republican governor, Kristi Noem.
“Focus solely on election integrity because let’s face it, we can never repeat 2020,” said Lara Trump, the new co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
She hinted that what Donald Trump had said was a stolen 2020 election, even though there is no evidence of that. At the conference dinner, Lara Trump said she is confident her father-in-law will come out on top with a “landslide” victory.
“On November 5, we will finally know that Donald Trump will be our next President of the United States,” Lara Trump declared.
Earlier Saturday afternoon, Governor Noem praised Trump for his leadership.
‘I’m very good friends with him. I talk to him all the time,” Governor Noem said.
She highlighted her state’s success and how its policies aligned with Trump.
“We have taken a very different path through Covid than your governor. South Dakota was the only state in the country that never closed a single business. We have never mandated masks or vaccines,” Governor Noem said.
She lashed out at California Governor Gavin Newsom, President Joe Biden and even former President Barack Obama.
“That man can talk too. If there was ever a person who could talk smoothly and lie at the same time, it was President Obama,” Governor Noem said.
Noem was said to be a possible running mate for Trump until a dog shooting controversy arose.
“I think she would be a great running mate for him,” said convention attendee Ashley Parrant Stiles.
“She’s a tough girl, she makes tough decisions, and that’s what we need,” said David Preston, a Central Valley Republican.
One prominent Republican who did not show up at the convention was Senate candidate Steve Garvey. Some political experts said he is trying to distance himself from Trump to win over independent voters.
“Why isn’t he here? Steve Garvey, where are you? If you want to hit one out of the park, you gotta be here because we’re the people hitting for you,” Doris Gentry said. , Chairman of the Napa County Republican Party.
Some moderate Republicans said they understand the strategy.
“It is a balancing act for the party leadership. There are many strong Trump supporters. And then there are people who are skeptical. They have to accommodate all sides and it really is like walking a tightrope,” said Ted Stroll of San Jose.
