Cleveland, OH – Stalwart Republicans are gathered in Cleveland, and the nomination of business icon Donald Trump as the party’s 2016 presidential candidate is official. The balloting was conducted Tuesday evening, July 19.
All of Maryland’s 38 delegates went into Trump’s column during the roll call vote. Two prominent Maryland Republicans are not at the convention. Governor Larry Hogan announced weeks ago he would not be attending. On Wednesday, July 20, the governor will be breaking bread and cracking hard shell crabs with hundreds of others in Crisfield at the 38th annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clambake.
In addition to Hogan, Delegate Kathy Szeliga, the party’s candidate for the U.S. Senate is not at the convention. Tuesday, she and the governor met with military veterans at a restaurant in Annapolis. During that meeting Hogan formally offered his endorsement to Szeliga, who is facing Congressman Chris Van Hollen in the November General Election.
Convention officials suspended the rules of conducting an alphabetical rollcall for the purpose of allowing the New York Delegation to put Trump over the top. Donald Trump Jr. made the official announcement. “Congratulations, Dad, we love you,” Trump Jr. declared.
While the delegates are infected with Trump Fever, the Miami Herald reports staff and volunteers assisting the California Delegation have been infected by a norovirus. The group has been staying at a hotel in Sandusky, OH since last week.
Speakers scheduled for Wednesday include some of Trump’s vanquished rivals—senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who will deliver remarks along with his wife, Callista.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com