Cabell County and Huntington officials and candidates are participating in the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC), which began Monday in Milwaukee.
Cabell County Commission President Kelli Sobonya, a lifelong Republican and office holder for several decades, is attending the conference for the first time as a delegate. She has attended the conference in the past as a guest but said she is honored to be a part of the West Virginia delegation.
ƵIt is important for our delegation to attend this event to participate in the nomination process and send a strong message to the country that we are united behind our nominee, President (Donald) Trump,Ƶ Sobonya said in a phone interview Wednesday.
In her many years in office, Sobonya said she has never seen such energy in the party.
ƵMy biggest takeaway is the building momentum,Ƶ Sobonya said. ƵAmericans and West Virginians want their country made safe, to bring our jobs back home, to put more money in their pocketbooks and rebuild our economy that the current administration has crushed.Ƶ
Sobonya said the West Virginia delegation includes more than 60 people. Several local representatives are a part of the delegation, including Delegate Daniel Linville.
Sobonya said the RNC is the ƵSuper Bowl of politicsƵ and that she saw unity among everyone who attended.
Jason Arthur, Huntington City Council candidate for District 1, is a newcomer to the convention and said it has been a great experience to learn from leaders from all over America.
ƵI think this is important for everyone to do, especially if you want to run for any position. You have to learn from great leadership to be great in leadership,Ƶ he said. ƵMore importantly, you have to unify, so I think by doing this and getting a better education, we will have excellent leadership again and do great things there in Huntington.Ƶ
Arthur said he has talked with many people who are facing the same situations as Huntington and are brainstorming ways to address homelessness and decrease crime rates and drugs with other community leaders.
City Council candidate for District 9 Stacy Jo Holley has watched the national convention every four years as far back as Ronald Reagan and said it is an honor to attend the convention for the first time as an alternative.
ƵThe excitement and energy in the convention center is electric and truly a surreal moment in time,Ƶ Holley said. ƵIt is crucial that we keep everyone at every level of government involved to better serve the people.Ƶ
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