Arizona pledges all delegates to Donald Trump at Republican National Convention
Jul 19, 2016, 3:23 PM | Updated: 4:56 pm
CLEVELAND – Arizona pledged its 58 delegates to presumed GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump on Tuesday at the Republican National Convention.
Jim Sharpe was on the floor for the build up to the Trump vote. He was standing near Arizona Republican Party Chair Robert Graham, who announced the pledge.
“I’m proud to announce, from the hottest state in the country for job growth, Arizona casts 58 bound delegates for Donald J. Trump,” Graham said.
Graham was joined in the delegation by other prominent state Republicans, including Gov. Doug Ducey and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
“It’s an exciting night,” Ducey said. “I’m proud to be here.”
After all the dust had settled and the votes were cast, Trump was officially named the party’s 2016 presidential nominee. His son, Donald J. Trump, Jr., pledged New York’s delegates to put his father over the top.
“Congratulations, dad! We love you,” he said.
Such a great honor to be the Republican Nominee for President of the United States. I will work hard and never let you down! AMERICA FIRST!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2016
LIVE on #Periscope: "New York, New York" playing for @realDonaldTrump's nomination. #RNCinCLE https://t.co/7dDOW59WXv
— Carter Nacke (@carternacke) July 19, 2016
Tuesday night was opened by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) who has been an ardent Trump supporter.
“Donald Trump is the singular leader that can get this country back on track,” he said.
Prior to the vote, House Speaker and Convention Chair Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) laid out all of the rules of voting and urged both the delegates and crowd to maintain order.
On Monday, an effort to push for a roll call vote that, while unlikely to prevent Trump’s presumed nomination, would have exposed divides in the party was quashed on the convention floor. It was followed by a uproar and chanting from delegates.
Some delegates left in protest.
After the voting, the convention was expecting a heavy-hitting lineup of speakers, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Ryan, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former candidate Dr. Ben Carson.
KTAR’s Jim Sharpe and Carter Nacke are in Cleveland for the Republican National Convention all week. Stay with us for ongoing coverage, both on-air and online.