Illinois Republicans help Trump clinch GOP nomination at 2024 RNC in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE (WLS) -- On Monday afternoon, former President Donald Trump officially became the Republican Party nominee.
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The Trump campaign is shifting into full gear as Republicans march on toward November with a finalized ticket.
The party faithful, some 2,400 delegates, erupted in cheers and danced in the Fiserv Forum when the delegate count put former Trump over the top to formally become the party's nominee.
"This isn't just a party. We're gonna win. We know we're gonna win. And we're excited," said delegate Ken Jochum.
Just before 9 p.m. the Republican National Convention erupted in cheers when Trump, wearing a white bandage on his injured ear, arrived at the Fiserv Forum.
The Illinois delegation joined their Republican colleagues with a standing ovation, waving signs and recording on their phones.
Trump for did not speak on Monday, but he could be seen mouthing the words "thank you" to the crowd.
The Illinois Delegation chairwoman, U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, cast the official vote for the state of Lincoln.
"Illinois proudly casts its 64 votes for President Donald J. Trump," Miller said.
Delegates reveled in the moment with this marking the countdown to the culmination of the convention Thursday night, when Trump will take the stage.
"The energy only continues. It's fantastic," said U.S. Rep. Mike Bost.
Trump's announcement of U.S. Sen. JD Vance, from Ohio, as his vice-presidential pick ended the drama that has been building for days.
"I'm super excited about JD Vance. Actually, I know he was on everybody else's radar. I guess I wasn't really thinking that he was the guy that was gonna get picked," said State Sen. Terri Bryant.
Trump posted on social media, saying, "As Vice President, J.D. will continue to fight for our Constitution, stand with our Troops, and will do everything he can to help me MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN."
"I think he's he actually captures the essence of what the platform was, which was the forgotten man and woman. And that's how he rose to prominence. I mean, that's his life story," said Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter.
ABC7 Chicago Craig Wall spoke up with House Speaker Mike Johson on the Trump- Vance ticket.
"I think J.D. Vance is a great pick, he's a thoughtful member of congress, he has a great life story, he served in the military, he can speak to the issues of everyday Americans. I think we need a lot of that," Johnson said.
When asked if the assassination attempt would impact the November election, the house speaker called Trump's strength remarkable.
"He got right back up and put his fist in the air and said keep fighting. That's what he represents to people. You saw it on big display. He believes he was divinely spared for this moment and we do as well."
Earlier in the day speakers talked about the importance of electing Trump with a focus tonight on economics.
Senator Tim Scott called out Chicago Democrats over crime.
"Look on the south side of Chicago," Scott said. "Poor Black kids trapped in failing schools. Thousands shot every single year."
With the most important business taken care of, the focus now shifts to talking about the party platform in the evening session. The theme for day one: Make America wealthy once again.
"We are really struggling to be able to make ends meet and to pay our bills and make America wealthy as is the return to the policies of the Trump administration where we have extra money we had money in our pockets," said Illinois GOP Treasurer and delegate at-large Laura Pollastrini.
Delegates are feeling good about where the party stands.
"There was a lot of energy. There was a lot of people with you know, they have a lot of faith. I'll put it that way. You just felt that you had a lot of people that had a lot of faith that that things are working out. Things are going their way," said delegate William Graff.
For the Illinois delegates, the day began with a breakfast gathering focused on fostering a sense of unity in the party.
"Welcome to Milwaukee, welcome to the greatest Republican convention and the history of mankind, and welcome more important to the beginning of the end of the Biden presidency," said Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy.
And after the attempt on Trump's life just two days ago, it has created a growing sense of confidence about November.
"When you start thinking about where are we in history, and it's like right now, we're in the middle got all the big giant storm, and it's going to get fixed, and Donald Trump gets elected," said Steve Balich.
The delegates were back in the convention hall for the evening session on Monday night where some high profile speakers and regular folks will be talking about the economy, something on the minds of voters everywhere.
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