MILWAUKEE — Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann delivered a fiery speech on the floor of the Republican National Convention Monday formally nominating Donald Trump for president, calling it the culmination of an important democratic process that kicked off in Iowa.
“Today is the final step before Election Day in this venerable and time-honored process,” he said. “As we’re all gathered here in Milwaukee, it's important for us to remember that this is a grassroots party.”
Although other Iowans have held prominent speaking roles at past conventions, Kaufmann said that, to the party’s knowledge, this is the first time an Iowan has had the opportunity to deliver the speech nominating a candidate for president.
“That’s not about me. That’s about Iowa,” he told Iowa’s convention delegates at a Sunday dinner , adding that he believes the prominent speaking spot is a nod to Trump’s appreciation for the state and its first-in-the-nation caucus status.
Kaufmann touted Iowa’s role in nominating Trump, noting that Iowa Republicans delivered him a historically large victory in the January caucuses earlier this year.
“Then the vast majority of Republicans in primaries and caucuses across the nation seconded Iowa's good judgment in the nominee,” he said.
Kaufmann’s speech helped kick off the roll call in which states announced their delegates would go to support Trump. He was at times drowned out by cheers of red-white-and-blue bedecked supporters lofting “Trump” signs above their heads at the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee.
“I invite all of you to join me in supporting President Donald Trump in this great endeavor,” he said to applause. “This is an endeavor that’s going to make America wealthy again. This is an endeavor to make America safe again. This is an endeavor to make America strong again. And say it with me, fellow Republicans, this is an endeavor to make America great again.”
Kaufmann has refrained from endorsing presidential primary candidates throughout Iowa’s caucuses, including in 2024. But he has been an ally of the president while he was in office and again this year since Trump became the party’s de facto nominee.
His son, state Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 Iowa caucus campaign .
Shortly after the nominating speeches, Kaufmann delivered Iowa's 40 delegates in support of Trump during the roll call of states.
“I speak for the delegation from the great state of Iowa, the inspiring home of Caitlin Clark," he said into a microphone from the floor of the convention hall. "And madam secretary, the great state of Iowa proudly casts all of its 40 votes for President Donald J. Trump.”
Later in the afternoon, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird oversaw the procedural nomination of Trump’s freshly minted vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance .
Vance arrived to Fiserv Forum to Merle Haggard’s “America First,” which played as he gave hugs, shook hands and signed autographs with delegates.
Bird is also scheduled to deliver a formal speech Tuesday. Speaking to the Iowa delegation at a dinner Sunday night, she conceded that’s she’s “a little bit nervous.”
“But I promise to work hard and make you proud,” she told the crowd.
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. She is also covering the 2024 presidential race for USA TODAY as a senior national campaign correspondent. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 'Make America great again!': Iowa Republican chair gives fiery Trump nominating speech at RNC
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