With the Republican National Convention set to kick off tomorrow in Milwaukee, a roster of Texas Republicans are slated to take the stage, headlined by Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. Ted Cruz. As per an announcement from the Republican National Committee, the speakers' list will feature several other high-profile Trump supporters, including Reps. Ronny Jackson, Monica De La Cruz, and Wesley Hunt, as reported by the Texas Tribune.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, who crossed party lines from Democrat to Republican last year, is also to especially speak at the event. Both Abbott and Cruz had been mentioned as possible presidential contenders, yet neither threw their hats into the ring. Cruz, who had previously withheld his endorsement from Trump at the 2016 convention, has since turned into one of the ex-president's staunchest allies.
Interestingly, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who chairs Trump's re-election campaign in the state, will be notably absent from the convention. He cancelled his appearance due to the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl which, according to the Texas Tribune, has left a significant impact on the Houston area, causing at least 10 fatalities and prolonged power outages affecting hundreds of thousands.
"My first priority is not the Republican National Convention; it’s pushing CenterPoint and other utility companies in damaged areas to get power back and ensure our state continues to deliver what citizens need," Patrick stated, responding indirectly to criticism from the Texas Democratic Party urging state leaders to focus on storm recovery over the convention. Meanwhile, amidst recovery efforts in Texas, the contest for positions of power does not to appear slow down. Cruz has been staying in the Houston area, having missed votes in the Senate to address storm damages and support constituents, his office countered criticism by pointing to Democratic U.S. Rep. Colin Allred's absence from the state during the same period.
Rep. Jackson and Hunt remain steadfast in their support for Trump, Jackson having served as physician to both President Obama and Trump, and Hunt spearheading initiatives to draw more Black voters to the Republican fold. Monica De La Cruz, after a high-stakes victory in 2022 aided by considerable Republican investment, will defend the most contested congressional seat in Texas come November—the Democrats' top target in the state. "It is truly the honor of a lifetime and my story is the American Dream come true,” De La Cruz said. “I look forward to making the case for why we need President Donald Trump to fix our economy and restore law and order at the southern border," she told the Texas Tribune in a statement.
