‘Sit back America, and enjoy’: Oregon Republicans share their thoughts on eventful Day 1 of GOP Convention

Positive response to Senator JD Vance choice as vice president nominee

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- While the Republican National Convention was conducting a role call to nominate Donald Trump, the former president announced Monday his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, just two days after surviving an attempted assassination, and Oregon Republicans are supportive of his choice.

"We need new, young blood. And, JD Vance is just an example of some of that. I think we're lucky to have him. And we need more people just like him," said Bob Tiernan, a VIP guest at the RNC, whose former roles included state lawmaker, candidate for governor and state GOP chairman.

Republican political analyst Jeff Eager, a former Bend mayor, agrees. "I think it's a pretty strong play, politically, by former President Trump to get those upper Midwest states," he said.

Chaos broke out last weekend after the former president was shot and injured at a rally in Pennsylvania, leading to the death of one attendee and two who were seriously wounded.

The Secret Service identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, as the shooter, who was killed at the scene.

Eager said, "Violence has become more of an accepted part of politics. And it's not one party or the other. It's all, both of them and people in between, to a degree."

Trump also formally received Oregon's 31 delegate votes on the first day of the convention.

Tiernan says the nomination will change the country.

"We have a highly qualified person who's proven themselves, proved themself again a couple of days ago that he has got the grit," he said. "And we know that's a person who's in the office just does not have the ability to be president."

Following the weekend's events, leaders at the RNC say they feel empowered for the upcoming election.

Deschutes County Republican Party Vice Chair Connie Whelchel said, "I think it's an exciting time! I think we're going to see him emerge the first time from the shooting, and people look at the real character of the person."

Tiernan, also at the convention agrees.

"I think it's an exciting time. I think we're going to see him emerge the first time from the shooting, and people look at the real character of the person. Sit back America, and enjoy, because the future is going to be changing. "