PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Delegate Amy Carnevale holds her daughter, Eliza, who is chewing on her Republican National Committee credential.
BY GAYLA CAWLEY AND THOMAS GRILLO
Amy Carnevale is packing her bags for a trip to Cleveland.
The Marblehead resident is one of 42 delegates going to the Republican National Convention next week.
During the March Massachusetts primary, Donald Trump bested his Republican opponents with 311,313 votes. John Kasich came in a distant second with 113,783.
“I look forward to supporting Donald Trump as our nominee,” said Carnevale, who serves on the Republican State Committee. “We need a candidate that can appeal to working Americans and I think Donald Trump does that. He’s a candidate that can win in November, and that’s the most important thing for the Republican party.”
Still, Trump has faced criticism from his own party for some statements and actions he’s taken during the campaign. Among them include when he said women who seek abortions should be punished, that Mexico should pay for a wall at the U.S. border and when he mocked the disabled while criticizing reporter Serge Kovaleski’s physical handicap by flailing his arms during a campaign stop.
“I think there’s certainly been statements that Donald Trump could have said better,” she said. “He himself has moderated his position on some of his statements when presented with new information. I think many voters do find the way he speaks appealing. He’s not a traditional politician, which I do think voters respect.”
About 20,000 Bay State Democrats switched to unenrolled so they could vote in the GOP primary, she said.
“That’s a testament to Donald Trump’s appeal in our state and in our nation,” she said. “I think a lot of people will be surprised in states where Republicans have struggled in the past, he will do well. After eight years of President Obama, people do need a strong leader. Donald Trump is a strong contrast to the lack of leadership we’ve seen under President Obama.”
Donald Trump has told fellow Republicans that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is his choice to be his vice-presidential running mate and that the announcement was to be made today, a senior GOP official said, according to the Wall Street Journal. However, Trump postponed the announcement following Thursday night’s attack in Nice, France.
Trump has 22 delegates, Kasich 8, Marco Rubio, 8, and Ted Cruz has 4, according to the Massachusetts GOP.
“I’m really excited to attend the convention,” Carnevale said. “I’ll be present for the speeches and activities, vote on the rules package and vote on the platform. Our delegation eventually will vote for the president Thursday night.”
On Trump’s chances against Hillary Clinton?
Carnevale expects him to win.
Thomas Grillo can be reached at [email protected].
