The Florida delegates, all 99 of them and their 96 alternates, are staying in Independence Ohio, just outside of Cleveland. The convention for them began with breakfast with political speaker Frank Lutz at their hotel, The Embassy Suites.
That’s also the hotel where Magaly Lockhart is staying. Not a delegate and not an alternate, Lockhart came simply to be a spectator.
She’s from the Dominican Republic and moved to Tampa. She says, after surrounding herself with Hispanic family and friends back home, Cleveland offers the chance to meet other groups of people.
“I’m Hispanic, all my friends are Hispanic, so to me this is an experience that I’m around other people, you know, that I never thought I was going be around," said Lockhart. "Everybody’s so nice and friendly, and I’m enjoying them. I’m having the time of my life.”
She says it’s her chance to see presidential candidate Donald Trump in person. Lockhart says she stands behind Trump’s anti-illegal immigration policy.
“I came here legally. And my whole family is here legally. Illegal? No. Make America safe? Yes, one hundred percent.”
The theme for the convention’s opening speeches was ‘Make America Safe Again’.
