ABC13 recaps the two-night rally at 2026 Republican National Convention in Dallas
DALLAS, Texas (KTRK) -- This two-day convention featured an "us vs them" theme; The Republican vision of the future framed against how they characterize the Democrats.
It also featured multiple high-profile Texas Republicans, three of whom took the stage tonight and stuck to the party line.
Vice President JD Vance of Ohio gave Thursday night's keynote.
But no fewer than three speeches came from well-known Texas Republicans, all of whom beat the drum of the GOP mantra this cycle.
"We will unite," Senator Cruz said. "We will stand up. We will defend our nation, and we will defend our freedom."
While Cruz is not up for reelection this cycle and is stumping for Republican candidates all over the country, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is on the ballot, facing Austin Democrat State Representative Vikki Goodwin.
"That (Texas) flag does not stand for socialism or communism," Patrick said. "It stands for God, and country, and freedom, and the family, the life of the unborn, the Second Amendment."
Patrick, like Cruz, drew much more enthusiastic responses from the thousands inside American Airlines Center than Texas Attorney General and Senate candidate Ken Paxton, who faces a tough race against Democrat State Representative James Talarico.
So did Governor Greg Abbott, who is also up for reelection against Democrat State Representative Gina Hinojosa.
"We banned sanctuary cities," Abbott said. "We are the only state to build our own border wall, and we made it a state crime to cross the border illegally into Texas. "
Texas is no doubt central to Republicans' hopes for a midterm victory in November. And those who came to the convention certainly have marching orders to rally undecided or unmotivated voters to the polls.
