Republicans cheer support for Trump at Reagan Day Dinner
Photo: Supporters wave flags and cheer during Thursday night’s Reagan Day Dinner and MAGA Rally at the Landers Center in Southaven. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
On the same night that DeSoto County Democrats were among those in Chicago celebrating Vice President Kamala Harris accepting that party’s nomination for President, DeSoto County Republicans were celebrating their candidate, former President Donald Trump.
County Republicans were joined by a number of state officials, including Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Attorney General Lynn Fitch, State Treasurer David McRae, and State Republican Chairman Mike Hurst for the annual Reagan Day Dinner, which this year also was billed as a MAGA Rally for their standard bearer in the race for the White House. The county party’s Executive Committee holds the dinner event each year.
The featured speaker for the evening at the Landers Center in Southaven was Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, the southwest Florida Congressman who has been working closely with the Trump campaign.
Donalds talked about polls in his comments at the dinner, saying as of Thursday evening, Harris held a 1.5 point lead on Trump in the poll he follows, the Real Clear Politics polling average. But Donalds said there was positive news to report on the poll.
“In 2016, Donald Trump trailed Hillary Clinton from eight to 10 points in the national average poll,” Donalds said. “Kamala Harris has had the greatest 33-day run of any nominee in the history of American politics. You would think she is (former British Prime Minister) Margaret Thatcher reincarnated as Hillary Clinton, only to be up one-to-two points nationally.”
Donalds said Trump leads in the so-called ‘battleground states,” which Donalds said should excite Trump supporters.
“Donald Trump has never led in the battleground states, not in 2016 or 2020,” he said. “There’s only two states where Kamala Harris has a polling lead. Kamala Harris is running from her record on purpose and she is running from Joe Biden’s record on purpose.”
Donalds also attacked the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, saying he has lied about his record, including his time in the military.
A number of awards were also presented during the evening, including the Spirit of Reagan Award, given to DeSoto County Constable and former committee leader Bobby Holloway. The award is presented to individuals who “embody the values and principles associated with former President Ronald Reagan’s legacy.”
The Republican of the Year award went to Tina Taylor.
Another speaker taking the podium at the dinner Thursday was Tennessee State Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis). Taylor has been front of mind in the Mid-South of late for his opposition to Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy and Taylor’s attempt to have Mulroy removed from office.
Taylor and a group of Shelby County Republicans at the dinner indicated shared support between the counties for their party candidates.
So Thursday was a night for party loyalists to get fired up for their candidate. As Harris was being feted in Chicago, Donald Trump supporters in DeSoto County were fired up for their man with just over 70 days left before Election Day.
