'This is a new day for the party': Local RNC delegate says convention reflects a shift

It's day two of the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin, and Tennessee's delegates are representing the state's Republicans clad in "country cool" western attire.

On July 16, Knox County's three delegates will attend trainings and panels with various conservative organizations like Moms for Liberty, the Black Republican Mayors Association and the American Principles project.

They're also set to hear from former Republican presidential primary candidate Nikki Haley this evening. Knox County delegate Susan Richardson Williams said Haley's invitation to speak was a reflection of unity in the party. Haley wasn't originally invited to attend the convention, but was added to the speaker lineup after the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.

Knox News spoke with delegates before the convention started. They said then that the mood of arriving delegates July 13 and 14 was "somber" following the shooting at a weekend Trump rally.

But that mood didn't last, Williams said . The theme of day 1 was to "make America prosperous again," but the underlying message of a new and united Republican Party rang even clearer. The formal nomination of Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio on day 1 brought optimism .

Williams spoke to Knox News the morning of July 16 about her experiences and observations from the first day of the RNC.

Knox News: What was the tone of the speeches last night?

Williams: The final speaker was the head of the Teamsters Union, which was really unusual for us at a convention. He got his message across about labor and the importance of labor unions, but he didn't endorse Trump. I thought it was really interesting that he got that much time, ... it was just an interesting choice.

Sen. (Marsha) Blackburn spoke about economic issues, Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia spoke ... all in all, it was a really interesting lineup.

What was the atmosphere like when Trump walked in last night?

"Of course it was an electric moment," Williams said. "He came into a lot of applause and 'Fight fight fight' from the convention crowd. To see him walking in with his fist in the air ... I think it was a sense of relief that he really is fine."

Was there any mention of the assassination attempt?

Williams : People did mention it in their talks about some of the disunity that has occurred in the country.

(Disunity) wasn't the overall theme by any means, but there was that moment there where people did in fact allude to the assassination attempt, but they came back to making America prosperous again and changing the course of the country with policy.

You had mentioned that you were hoping for there to be more talk about policy than finger pointing at Democrats; did that come to fruition?

Williams: Yes. That was definitely the focus. It was interesting to me, who was on the lineup from last night.

Picking J.D. Vance (as the vice presidential nominee), that's a man with an incredible American success story. I think he exemplifies the American story and I think a lot of our speakers did that as well.

Yesterday, you suggested we may see a 'calmer, cooler Trump.' Do you still think that's the case?

Williams: We'll see. Just looking at him last night, coming in and watching others speak, I thought he was very focused on what they were saying. He seemed to me to be a little different in his demeaner. And so, I think we won't really know much about that until we hear his remarks on Thursday.

Knox News: And of course, he's smart. I'm sure he's thought through how pivotal these next few days are and how he should play them moving forward.

Williams: Totally. I think that's very true.

I've heard some say Vance's nomination as VP serves as solidification of this new Republican Party. Do you agree with that?

Williams: Yes totally agree with that. It's a very different party, I've been to 11 conventions ... this is a new day for the party. There's no question about it, and the speakers definitely defined that, certainly having the president of the Teamsters Union. His speech was in some ways anti-corporation, you know? There was no question that was planned, I think it certainly is showcasing a change in the party.

(The change) is important to win (the election). There's no question about that.

Taking a 30,000-foot view, what do you think of this change in the party? Aren't there people who still identify with the traditional Republican Party?

Williams: The party I grew up in was a moderate Republican Party. We had Howard Baker, Lamar Alexander, Bob Corker. They were traditional Republicans who supported less government, lower taxes and strong national defense. This party of today is very different. It's certainly a Trump-focused party, much more conservative social values.

(The new Republican Party is) in charge. So you either get on board or you don't.

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 'This is a new day for the party': Local RNC delegate says convention reflects a shift