MILWAUKEE — Thousands of Republican leaders and delegates are in Milwaukee for the start of the 2024 Republican National Convention. This comes just two days after the attempted assassination of Former President Donald Trump.
State Representative and Chairman of the Duval GOP, Dean Black, is representing parts of the First Coast as a delegate. He was there to cast his vote and make Trump the official nominee of the party.
He said everything remains on track at the convention despite Saturday's shooting, but there is underlying tension as the assassination attempt has been part of many conversations with his colleagues at the convention.
"It has colored everything we do and everything that we say, and everything that we think. And it's shocking, and frankly, it's terrifying that we've come to this place in American politics," Black explained.
Black said he and his fellow republicans are now focused on moving forward from the shooting. He said their goal during the RNC is to turn down the rhetoric surrounding this election and get out their platform to voters.
“Everyone is absolutely determined to finish what we've started, but to do so peacefully, in a way that honors the Constitution," Black said.
Democrats are also calling for a change in rhetoric. Daniel Henry is the chairman of the Duval County Democratic Party. He said he was shocked when he learned about the shooting.
"Political violence is never the answer. We can be disagreeable, and at the same time, be patriotic Americans," Henry said.
Henry said his team will be focusing on pushing out their message to voters while the RNC is underway.
"There is going to be plenty of opportunities for not only the Biden campaign, but the president himself, to be able to contrast some of the messaging that we're seeing this week. So our work continues. We're feverishly fighting to make sure that people are not only aware about their choices in this election, but what's at stake," Henry explained.
Black also commented on U.S. Sen. JD Vance joining Trump on the republican ticket. He said Vance is a 'dynamic, visionary leader' and the 'perfect choice' for VP. The Florida Democratic Party released a statement calling Trump and the republican party 'out of touch' for picking Vance.