Republicans from across Texas gathered in Dallas to kick off the GOP State Convention in Dallas Thursday.
More than 10,000 people, passionate Republicans, were expected to attend the three-day event to discuss how to shape the future of the party.
Thousands and delegates and alternates circulated around the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center to socialize, debate, and determine what the GOP will look like over the next two years.
Before the party’s committees split up to start those discussions, Texas Governor Greg Abbott listed a slew of issues he wanted Texas Republicans to focus on.
On stage Thursday morning, Abbott celebrated the strides Republicans have made and bashed the Democrats.
Abbott touted the state’s open-carry law and the defunding of Planned Parenthood in Texas, then he reminded the crowd the GOP has a lot more to do in the future.
Abbott said Texas needs to expand school choice.
“It is your taxpayer money. They are your children it; should be your choice,” Abbott said as the crowd roared.
Abbott said he wants to ban abortions in the state. Abbott also wants to ban sanctuary cities and tighten security at the Texas-Mexico border and bathrooms.
“I am working with the governor of North Carolina, and we are going to fight back,” Abbott said.
North Carolina recently put a controversial law into effect that’s known as the “bathroom bill.” The so-called ‘bathroom bill’ requires transgender people to use the bathroom or locker room that matches the sex listed on their birth certificate, not their gender identity.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick tackled the bathroom issue as soon as he took the stage.
“When you go to the restroom the ‘M’ doesn’t stand for make up your mind and the ‘W’ doesn’t stand for whatever,” Patrick said.
From potty politics, the Lt. Gov. shifted the focus of his speech to the Presidential election. Patrick said he understands Cruz supporters need “time to heal,” but emphasized how important it is that the GOP stand united.
“If Donald Trump wants to unify the party and if Ted Cruz would accept then I would love to see Ted Cruz on the Supreme Court the first person to take the position of Antonin Scalia,” Patrick said. The crowd erupted.
“That was the loudest standing ovation of the day,” Patrick later told reporters.
Patrick said he doesn’t know if Cruz wants the job, but his goal at the convention is to preserve conservative Texas values.
The party’s presumptive nominee, Donald Trump, was not mentioned that much during the first day of the convention.
Cruz was talked about and his supporters showed up wearing “Cruz Crew” buttons and hats.
“Ted came up short,” Abbott said, “but that does not end the war.”
Abbott said the country is at a tipping point.
“America does not have the luxury to get this election wrong,” Abbott said.
Although he did not mention Trump, Abbott also stressed the importance of unity.
“Republicans must unite to prevent Hillary from continuing the Obama agenda, from destroying our constitution,” Abbott said.
