The state of Ohio is running red with colors of the Republican Party this week.
Roughly 50,000 are expected to visit Cleveland this week during the annual Republican National Convention, which started up Monday, July 18, and scheduled to conclude Thursday, July 21.
Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena will house 2,470 elected delegates and 2,302 alternates from each of the 50 states in the U.S., along with the District of Columbia and five territories.
David “Kent” Harris is an elected delegate from the 1st Congressional District – comprised of Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties – and representing the area with Betty Jo Kern. The duo are two of the total 58 delegates of Tennessee in attendance.
Harris said the atmosphere in Cleveland is electric during a phone interview with the Elizabethton Star on Monday.
“Things are going very well,” he said. “The atmosphere is great and everyone seems fired up for this year’s election.”
In a heavily-documented election for both parties so far, Donald Trump, who is expected to earn the party’s nomination this week after winning the primary, has made waves inside the party. While early reports indicated the party may look at other options even with his wins across the country, Harris said there’s excitement for the presumptive pick moving forward.
“Nationally, there have been reports on the friction in the party for Trump,” he said. “Everyone I’ve had a chance to speak with here seem very excited for Trump and are united on working together. The party is tired of the current administration, Hillary Clinton, and are ready for a change.”
Trump came out victorious in a crowded pool of candidates to emerge the Republican Party frontrunner. The businessman selected Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana and his presumptive vice president nominee moving forward in the coming months.
Harris, who serves with the Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee, and Kern were also joined by Rep. Phil Roe during Monday’s festivities.
And while excitement brews, the concerns of safety looms with numerous individuals in one location. Harris, who served 23 years in law enforcement, said the the city has provided a “large” security presence and that safety is not a concern.
“I feel very safe,” he added. “There security has been top notch and we appreciate their service to keep everyone safe.”
And not without saying, Harris added he has seen some protesting outside the convention.
“I’ve seen two protesters since being here,” he said.
As soon as the RNC concludes, the Democratic Party will receive the main stage nationally. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to last from July 25-28 and will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.