Bonilla: For Virginia delegates, the action this week isn’t just in the Fiserv Forum. They’re also meeting over breakfast for their own mini-pep rallies — to hear from top Republican officials.

 

Miyares: I think this is an incredibly strong ticket and i'm excited about it. I think the party’s unified and ready to move forward

 

Bonilla: After Donald Trump chose Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate, members of the Virginia delegation are still absorbing the news.  

 

Smith: I don't know if i was entirely supporting JD Vance to be the first pick … JD Vance has a lawyerly background but he also has a veteran background and that’s a big value of mine when i'm looking at someone to vote for. He’s got some of those key conservative values and the experience that will make him a great vp. 

 

Miyares: He knows what it is to come from an impoverished background. He knows what it is to fight and scrap and he has a remarkable journey, a remarkable story 

 

Bonilla: With the Trump and Vance duo, Virginia Republican delegates believe they will win in November. 

 

BENJAMIN: Trump has the instinct - insight and sometimes the foresight. He knows what’s gonna be the best fit 

 

Bonilla: But Trump lost Virginia 2016 and 2020. So Virginia republicans are strategizing about how to make the state go red. 

 

Miyares: I think there needs to be resources. I think there needs to be a case made it’s clear to me that Joe Biden is not popular in Virginia. It’s time for a change and i think that’s what voters will think this November 

 

Bonilla: As the national convention continues, Republicans will hear from vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance for the first time on Wednesday night. 

In Milwaukee, I'm Alexa Bonilla.