Valley delegates attend GOP Convention in Milwaukee

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Several Rio Grande Valley Republican voters are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin attending the GOP Convention.

Some voted for Donald Trump as the Republican nominee, others were alternates who are still excited to be there.

Local delegates said the first night of the convention was electric and filled with excitement.

Several voted to officially make Donald Trump the GOP nominee while also voting on their party’s platform.

Brownsville Pastor Brad Burkes was pleased with the choice of Senator JD Vance as the Vice-Presidential pick.

“Being an army veteran myself, I was excited to see a marine veteran as our Vice President," Burkes said. "Someone who has already sworn an oath to defend the country and the Constitution from the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. I am glad to see that! I took that oath and so did he.”

Burkes says the platform focused on issues from fixing the economy, immigration topics and abortion. The Valley delegates say border safety is their top concern.

Aron Pena, who is a Hidalgo County delegate, says human trafficking and drug smuggling are two issues the Former President can fix.

“We are here to say we have amazing people, skilled labor, sending rockets to Mars we have such great things in the Valley, and we want major infrastructure and investment in the Valley and Donald Trump is going to keep investors that want to come in our region knowing that our border is going to be safe," Pena said.

Security at the convention was also enhanced after Saturday’s assassination attempt on the Former President. Pena says there was a good police perimeter near the arena and Burkes said he felt there was airport-like security to enter.

Brad Robinson, who is serving as an Alternative Delegate from Cameron County, says he felt safe.

“Quite honestly, I feel like this is one of the safest place to be on earth because the security is very tight and there is mounted police and police on horse, policemen on bicycles, the national guard is here and has a present that is very quiet, and we got helicopters that are flying over and just making sure that there is nothing that is not being seen," Robinson said. "The security is optimal.”