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County GOP Chair discusses Republican convention

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 10:34 AM

By Paul Gable

One of the highlights for Baird was introducing his father, U.S. Congressman Jim Baird, to musician Kid Rock. 

For Beau Baird, the recent Republican National Convention in Milwaukee is one he will remember for the rest of his life. 

The Putnam County Republican is quite familiar with state conventions as a member of the Indiana General Assembly, but the recent week long convention in Milwaukee was a first for Baird. 

"It was my first national convention. I was elected in 2020, but that was the convention that was canceled due to Covid. This was the first I was able to attend. You cannot compare a state convention to the national convention," Baird told Giant FM this week while at the Putnam County Fair.

Baird, who was part of the Indiana delegation that made the trip, said he did not look at his participation as a legislator, but rather as an American and Republican. 

"I looked at it as a part of the Republican party and representing Indiana's Republican Party. There's 54 delegates that get to go and 54 alternate delegates that get to go. I've told everyone, put party aside, it was great to see America come together and a sense of patriotism. That is what I believe is the most incredible experience. People were there because of an agenda for America they want to see," Baird said. 

One of the highlights for Baird was introducing his father, U.S. Congressman Jim Baird, to musician Kid Rock. 

"Dad got his photo with Kid Rock. He knew he was a singer, but, probably didn't know his music. As we drove back to the hotel, I played Kid Rock songs all the way back, starting with Cowboy. I think he had enough by the time he got back to the hotel," Baird said, laughing. 

While that was fun, Baird noted the entire event was an "incredible experience." 

"To see a coliseum that big filled with Americans and patriots, chanting USA, just talking about it right now gives me goose bumps. I have never felt a sense of patriotism like I did every night we walked into that coliseum, and it was incredible. I am at a lack of words to describe how incredible it was," Baird said. 

While the highlight of the convention was former President Donald Trump accepting the party's nomination, as well as the announcement of Ohio Senator J.D. Vance being named the party's Vice President candidate, Baird said each night and each speech was good.

"They were all good, but in different ways. I feel like they all impacted different messages. I thought they truly did a good job of orchestrating meaningful messages that led up to Thursday night," Baird said. 

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