Virus has delegates weighing convention
With the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, a little more than a month away, Ohio's delegates for Donald Trump say they're ready to go, regardless of pandemic or protests.
Dimitrious Stanley, former wide receiver for the Ohio State football team and a first-time delegate at-large, said he is planning to bring his family to Florida. But he said large demonstrations might make him reconsider.
Though he said he isn’t personally worried about the coronavirus, despite Florida hitting an all-time high in virus cases, “you want to definitely protect the elderly and the vulnerable for sure. The people that are vulnerable should not be there.”
Some of those who haven’t yet committed to attend the convention aren’t the rank-and-file delegates, but other statewide and top elected GOP officials.
Gov. Mike Dewine, titular head of Trump’s re-election campaign for Ohio, is among those who are uncertain.
“No one knows what the COVID-19 situation will be in August, both at the convention site and in Ohio,” Dewine spokesman Dan Tierney said.
Sen. Rob Portman also is taking a wait-and-see approach: “We’ll see what the situation is then in terms of what COVID-19 is that week.”
Already, Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee have said they won’t be at the GOP gathering.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said, “I am tentatively planning on being in Jacksonville at this point.” But he continues to watch coronavirus data from Florida.
“I’ll be candid with you: I’m concerned with being packed elbow-to-elbow on the floor at the convention,” Yost told The Dispatch.
That means he might wind up watching Trump’s acceptance speech from his Florida hotel room.
Treasurer Robert Sprague is still planning to attend, but said he is “monitoring the situation,” said a spokeswoman.
U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson, of Zanesville, won’t go unless something improves with the virus numbers in Florida, a spokeswoman said. Congressman Steve Stivers, of Upper Arlington, said it’s too soon to say whether he will head South.
Though the official business of nominating Trump will still happen as planned in Charlotte, North Carolina, before the convention, the Republican National Committee will be holding Trump’s acceptance speech and other celebrations in Jacksonville from Aug. 24-27 to avoid social distancing measures and mask mandates that have been set by the state of North Carolina.
A spiking COVID-19 case count is straining Florida’s hospital system as nearly half of its intensive-care units are at least 90% full, state data shows.
Florida set a record for diagnosed cases in one day on Sunday. According to state Department of Health statistics, 15,299 people tested positive, for a total of 269,811 cases, and 45 deaths were recorded.
The Enquirer contacted 35 of the 88 delegates for Ohio. A sampling of their responses:
• Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, a first-time delegate, said he will be attending, but taking measures to ensure his safety.
“Naturally, I clean my hands, I wear my little mask,” Jones said. “I’m not 100%, but I try hard.”
• Janet Creighton, an at-large delegate and Stark County commissioner, said she will be deciding this month whether it’s safe for her to join the convention.
“It will depend on COVID because of my age bracket,” said Creighton, 69.
Creighton said she intends to go — this would be her sixth convention — but doesn’t want to endanger herself. She said her decision will largely be based on what Florida Gov. Ron Desantis mandates for protection from the coronavirus.
She said she hopes the party also can find a way to involve those who choose not to go.
• Patti Alderson, a district delegate from West Chester near Cincinnati, said she will be in Florida, but thinks everyone has the right to be concerned about the coronavirus.
Alderson said she will wear a mask and be frequently sanitizing.
• Diane Carnes, district delegate from Chillicothe, said she will be on hand for the fourth time. She said she believes the national and state GOP parties will do what is in the interest of the health of everyone in regards to the coronavirus.
“I am just going to wait and see what the national party comes up with,” said Carnes. “I’m not afraid — no — but I will do what they recommend.”
• Ohio Republican Chair Jane Timken still plans to attend the convention and looks forward to nominating Trump for a second term, said party spokesman Evan Machan.
Dispatch Public Affairs Editor Darrel Rowland and Reporter George Shillcock contributed to this story. cdbehrens@enquirer.com @Colebehr_report