WASHINGTON — Next week, 150 delegates, alternates and designated guests from Kentucky are scheduled to attend the Republican National Convention.

What You Need To Know

  • Next week, 150 delegates, alternates and designated guests from Kentucky are scheduled to attend the Republican National Convention

  • They include power brokers like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, as well as rank-and-file members of Congress and the legislature

  • The convention runs from July 15-18 in Milwaukee 

  • Former President Donald Trump is likely to use the gathering to introduce his pick for a running mate

They include power brokers like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, as well as rank-and-file members of Congress and the legislature.

Rep. Andy Barr, R-Lexington, the first member of Kentucky’s congressional delegation to endorse former President Donald Trump, said last month that it will be a moment to present America with a choice between the “failed policies of the current administration” or “a restoration of an agenda that puts America first.”

“This country is a great country,” Barr said. “We got a lot going for it, but policies matter and elections have consequences. We need to get the country back on the right track with better policies that put America first.”

The convention comes weeks after a jury convicted Trump of 34 felony counts in a New York hush money trial, and as President Joe Biden tries to stop calls by some fellow Democrats that he not seek re-election following his faltering debate performance.

The themes for the four-day conference are a spinoff of Trump’s campaign slogan, and include “Make America Wealthy Once Again,” “Make America Safe Once Again,” “Make America Strong Once Again,” and “Make America Great Once Again.”  

Trump is likely to use the gathering to introduce his pick for a running mate.

“The average person in the public won’t know much about him or her so it really is about introduction,” said Kathleen Dolan, a political science professor from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. “It’ll be, you know, whoever the candidate is, the speech will be pretty heavy on biography, and you know, basic values and here’s what I’ve done professionally.”

Among the names being floated for Trump’s vice president pick are Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and J.D. Vance of Ohio and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota.

Spectrum News will have live coverage every day of the convention next week on Spectrum News 1 and on the free Spectrum News app.

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