PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — With Donald Trump as the official nominee, and a vice presidential candidate selected, it’s full steam ahead for the Republican Party.
The Republican National Convention runs through Thursday in Wisconsin, and political experts believe this is where we’ll start to see the Republican Party take shape.
“It’s the formal end to the primary process, which basically ends the primary and starts us right into the general election cycle,” said Old Dominion University Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Benjamin Melusky.
Former President Trump accepted the party’s nomination and named Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate.
“Initially he was a never Trumper and now a senator in Congress and is effectively on the same page with Trump, so it brings up this really interesting perspective,” Melusky said.
Issues like the economy, immigration and tariffs will remain the center of both the Trump Vance campaign. As for Glenn Youngkin, who some thought could’ve been Trump’s running mate, Melusky said he’ll have an important role as governor.
“He’s very much been focused on Virginia, right, and I think he’s going to use his relationship with Trump and the campaign to hopefully be for the benefit of Virginia,” Melusky said.
Youngkin will even speak at the RNC, alongside others, and Melusky said we could even meet some newcomers.
“This is really our chance to really spotlight who will be a rising star, mover or shaker for years to come,” Melusky said, “or it may even give us a little insight into who might potentially be tapped, should the former President Trump win the presidency, who may make their way into the cabinet.”
Trump is expected to speak at the convention on Thursday, that will be his first address since Saturday’s assassination attempt.