Sarasota, Manatee GOP chairs to attend Republican National Convention in Milwaukee

When the Republican National Committee held its convention in Tampa for the 2012 election, Florida was a purple swing state. President Barack Obama cruised to a reelection that year, but it was the last time a Democratic candidate for president would win a state that has become the epicenter of conservative politics and orthodoxy.

While the 2024 convention is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it will feature key Florida players and familiar elements of the GOP platform, it will also give an indication of how the recent attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life in Pennsylvania could factor into the election.

When does the Republican National Convention start?

The convention begins on Monday July 15 and ends on Thursday July 18 and will be streamed on YouTube.

When will former President Trump speak at the Republican National Convention?

Trump has reportedly said that he will strike a softer, more unifying tone at the convention. The former president will officially accept his third consecutive Republican nomination for president at his Thursday night address.

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle recently said security measures have been “reviewed and strengthened” for the event.

Who is attending the Republican National Convention from the Sarasota-Bradenton area?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to speak at some point, his GOP Primary rift with Trump notwithstanding.

Sarasota County GOP Chairman Jack Brill and Vice Chair Alice Rothbauer will be in attendance, a spokesperson confirmed. Manatee County GOP Chairwoman April Culbreath is also at the convention as an alternative delegate, she told the Herald-Tribune.

A spokesperson for Rep. Greg Steube, of Sarasota, said the congressman will be at the convention and will be involved with Florida GOP activities. Florida congressional representatives Kat Cammack, R-Gainesville, and Byron Donalds, R-Fort Myers, are also at the convention.

Why is the Bradenton Police Department sending officers to the Republican National Convention?

The Bradenton Police Department will also be one of several Florida law enforcement agencies that will assist with security, along with the Florida Highway Patrol and Miami-Dade Police Department. 4,000 cops will assist at the RNC in some capacity.

"Political violence has no place in America, and the Bradenton Police Department is doing its part to protect the democratic process in our community, state, and nation," the BPD said in the Facebook post, adding that "15 experienced officers from the Bradenton Police Department arrived in Milwaukee yesterday as part of a pre-planned deployment to assist with security operations at the Republican National Convention."

What is on the Republican National Convention agenda?

On Monday, the Heritage Foundation – a conservative think tank that led the controversial Project 2025 plan − will host an all-day policy event called “Fighting for America’s Future.”

On Tuesday afternoon, the Florida-based right-wing education group Moms for Liberty will host a town hall called “Giving Americans a Voice.”

Trump is expected to announce his running mate on Monday. Florida Senator Marco Rubio has reportedly been told he is no longer in consideration.

A Ronald Reagan biopic starring Dennis Quaid as the former president and Jon Voight as Russian politician Viktor Ivanov will also be screened Hilton’s Regency Ballroom and the Pfister Hotel throughout the convention.