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What to know about the 2024 Republican National Convention in Wisconsin

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What to know about the 2024 Republican National Convention in Wisconsin


It is a moment of political pomp and pageantry in the United States, unfurling near the mid-point of a presidential election year: the national party convention.

Every four years, both the Republicans and Democrats hold massive, televised conventions to officially nominate their candidates for president and vice president.

And on July 15, the Republican Party opens the first convention of the 2024 election cycle. The four-day event will take place in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the capital of a critical battleground state.

Former President Donald Trump, who has been the party’s de facto nominee for months after sweeping aside a field of challengers during the Republican primaries, is expected to use the convention stage to put to rest any questions of his dominance over the party.

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“This is very much the Trump show,” Thad Kousser, a professor of political science at the University of California at San Diego, told Al Jazeera. “The convention will demonstrate how fully the party has embraced him.”

What can voters expect from the convention? How does the nomination process work, and what election issues will be in the spotlight? We answer these questions and more in this quick explainer.

Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attends a campaign event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 22 [Tom Brenner/Reuters]

Where and when will the convention take place?

The Republican National Convention will take place from July 15 through July 18 in the Midwestern city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Several downtown venues have been selected for the multi-day event, including the Baird Center, a convention centre; Fiserv Forum, a basketball stadium; and the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena, which hosts hockey and football games.

Who will attend the convention?

The city says it is expecting about 50,000 people at the conference, including politicians, visitors and media, as well as law enforcement and staff. The event is not open to the general public.

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Part of the reason is the convention’s high-profile guest list. The Republican National Convention is a place for party officials to be and be seen, and the event features several days of speakers, leading up to an acceptance speech from Trump himself.

There will also be 2,429 delegates representing states and territories across the US. They ultimately vote for the party’s nominee for president.

What happens at a convention?

The main event is the nomination process: Delegates vote on the official party nominee, who traditionally accepts the role with a speech.

But the convention is also a place where the party platform is confirmed: It lays out a set of goals and ideals for the party to strive towards.

Since the advent of television, the conventions have become more grandiose, and they often feature a series of speeches from party luminaries and influential figures.

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There are also opportunities for convention participants to socialise. At this year’s Republican National Convention, attendees can participate in a prayer breakfast, panel discussions and a tour of the local Harley-Davidson motorcycle museum.

How does the nomination process work?

While the US Constitution does not include any guidelines for how a party must select their presidential nominee, both Democrats and Republicans use a system of primaries and caucuses, a series of state-level elections.

The results of the primaries and caucuses determines how many delegates from each state a candidate receives. The delegates then gather at the convention to vote on the nominee.

Some delegates are “pledged” — or committed to voting according to their state’s voting results. Others are “unpledged” and free to vote as they please.

Trump currently holds 2,265 delegates after winning every caucus and primary except in New Hampshire and Washington, DC. There, his former Republican rival Nikki Haley prevailed.

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Haley was the last major Republican to drop out of the primary race. On July 9, she released the 97 delegates she earned and encouraged them to vote for Trump at the Republican National Convention.

A critic of Trump during the race, Haley was not invited to the convention herself.

Who could Trump pick for vice president?

In the past, national party conventions often were the venue for revealing — and sometimes even picking — vice presidential nominees.

Trump is appears to be hewing closely to that tradition. Though he launched his latest presidential campaign in November 2022, he has yet to make his choice of a running mate public.

But his shortlist is reported to include Representative Elise Stefanik of New York, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

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A vice presidential candidate is often selected for their perceived ability to “balance” a ticket.

In other words, they often boast qualities the presidential nominee may lack, or they could hail from a state where the nominee might have limited appeal.

For example, during his first term in office, Trump’s vice president was former Indiana Governor Mike Pence. While Trump was brash and outspoken, Pence appeared more measured in public. He also appealed to evangelical and rural voters, a contrast with twice-divorced Trump, who hails from New York City.

Trump and Pence have since fallen out over the events of January 6, 2021. Pence has accused Trump of pressuring him to overturn the results of the 2020 election, as Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol to disrupt the vote certification.

What is the party platform?

The party platform is a document laying out the party’s priorities and official positions on a range of issues. Changes — or omissions — in a party platform can be a useful way to track which groups or trends are gaining momentum within a party.

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In 2020, the GOP made the unorthodox decision not to release a platform at all.

Has the Republican National Committee released a party platform for 2024?

On July 8, the party’s platform committee adopted a platform that strongly reflects Trump’s priorities and blustering style.

“MAKE AMERICA THE DOMINANT ENERGY PRODUCER IN THE WORLD, BY FAR!” reads one of 20 promises in the platform, spelled out in capital letters — a style reminiscent of Trump’s social media posts.

“STRENGTHEN AND MODERNIZE OUR MILITARY, MAKING IT, WITHOUT QUESTION, THE STRONGEST AND MOST POWERFUL IN THE WORLD,” reads another bullet point.

The platform also features hardline rhetoric about immigration, with several points dedicated to the “migrant crime epidemic” and the “migrant invasion”. It promises to carry out the “largest deportation operation in American history”.

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Which issues could be contested at the convention?

While the Republican Party has rallied behind Trump, schisms have emerged over a handful of issues.

Notably missing from the platform’s 20 promises is any reference to abortion, an issue which has caused electoral headaches for Republicans since the conservative-majority Supreme Court eliminated the federal right to the procedure in June 2022.

In the full 16-page platform document, a single mention of abortion can be found on page 15: “We will oppose Late Term Abortion.”

Some anti-abortion rights activists are already expressing displeasure at the omission, although the platform does pledge to roll back transgender rights, an issue that has become a priority for Christian conservatives within the Republican Party.

“They rolled us. That’s what they did,” Gayle Ruzicka, a Republican National Committee platform committee member, told WISN 12 News on Monday. “I’ve never seen this happen before. I don’t understand why they did it, and I’m extremely disappointed that we do not have any pro-life language.”

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But Kousser, the political science professor, told Al Jazeera that the party is likely to keep such divides under a tight lid.

“It’s just not what modern conventions are about. Whatever internal discussions are taking place over issues like trade and abortion, you’re not going to see the party broadcasting them,” he said.



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Wisconsin

Wisconsin former four-star quarterback Mabrey Mettauer appears headed for transfer portal

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Wisconsin former four-star quarterback Mabrey Mettauer appears headed for transfer portal


MADISON – It appears that the Wisconsin football team will have almost a completely new quarterback room next season.

Mabrey Mettauer, the last scholarship player left at the position on the roster from this season, is expected to enter the transfer portal, according to 247sports. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound true freshman from The Woodlands, Texas, was a consensus four-star recruit coming out of high school.

This season he served as the top backup to Braedyn Locke after Tyler Van Dyke suffered a season-ending knee injury against Alabama. Mettauer appeared in one game and completed his only pass attempt.

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He maintained his redshirt status and will have four years of eligibility remaining.

Mabrey’s departure was the last domino to fall from the firing of Phil Longo as offensive coordinator. Like Van Dyke and Locke, Mettauer came to Wisconsin with the idea that he would play in Longo’s pass-friendly offense.

Locke’s brother, Landyn, a member of the 2025 recruiting class, was also recruited by Longo. Landyn Locke has been released from his letter of intent and has re-opened his recruitment.

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After 247sports broken the news of Mettauer’s expected departure he reposted the post on his X and Instagram accounts.

The loss of Mettauer means Wisconsin has three scholarship quarterbacks plus walk-on Milos Spasojevic on the roster for next season:

* Billy Edwards Jr., who started this season at Maryland and threw for 2,800 yards. He has one year of eligibility left.

* Danny O’Neil, who started at San Diego State as a true freshman and threw for 2,000 yards this season. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

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* Carter Smith, a four-star prospect from Florida, will enroll early and participate in spring practice.



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14-year-old killed in Wisconsin school shooting shared gifts of music and art with many, friends say

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14-year-old killed in Wisconsin school shooting shared gifts of music and art with many, friends say


MADISON, Wis. — Rubi Patricia Vergara was a talented young teenager who often handcrafted gifts for others and shared her musical talents with many, family friends recounted at funeral services held Saturday morning.

14-year-old killed in Wisconsin school shooting shared gifts of music and art with many, friends say

Vergara, 14, was a student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, where she was shot and killed by a fellow student Monday. Teacher Erin West, 42, was also killed in the attack.

“She was a quiet, gentle spirit who cared deeply for others,” City Church lead pastor Tom Flaherty said. “But Rubi also had a faith beyond her years.”

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Vergara’s services were held at City Church, which is adjacent to the school. West’s funeral is set for Monday at Doxa Church in Madison, according to her obituary.

Two other injured students remained hospitalized Saturday in critical condition but were stable, UW Hospital said.

A family friend, Dawn Moris, spoke about Vergara’s compassion and empathy. Vergara made personalized birthday cards for loved ones with digital artwork, origami and had started crocheting. Moris showed those in the congregation a small crocheted smiley face potato crafted by Vergara.

“She applied a caring and creative approach to everything she did,” Moris said.

Vergara played keyboard in a family worship band and could hear a song and pick it up on the piano, Moris said. As a singer, she had a special talent of harmonizing and “sang like an angel,” Moris said.

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Vergara’s aunt played her niece’s favorite song, “Shoulders” by for King & Country, on the guitar during the service. Her uncle, Andy Remus, thanked the people of Madison for supporting his family this past week.

Police say the shooter, 15-year-old student Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, shot herself at the school and died at a Madison hospital. Police have said she was in contact with a man in California who authorities say was planning to attack a government building. Rupnow’s motivation for the attack remains a key part of their investigation.

Volmert reported from Lansing, Michigan.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

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Teenager accused in Wisconsin school shooting had a tumultuous family life, court documents show

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Teenager accused in Wisconsin school shooting had a tumultuous family life, court documents show


MADISON, Wis. — A 15-year-old girl who police say killed two people and wounded multiple others at a private Christian school in Wisconsin endured what appeared to be a tumultuous home life marked by divorces, custody battles and a series of court-mandated mediation sessions to resolve disputes over her care, according to court documents obtained by NBC News.

Jeff and Mellissa Rupnow married and divorced twice, during which their daughter Natalie Rupnow would at times travel between her parents’ homes every few days and attend therapy.

They married in 2011 and divorced for the first time in 2014, according to court documents.

The two agreed to joint custody of Natalie, but she would live primarily with her mother, the documents state.

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They remarried in 2017, according to their marriage certificate obtained by NBC, but filed for divorce a second time in 2020. Mellissa and Jeff Rupnow again agreed to share custody of Natalie, but this time she would spend “equal time with both parents,” the court documents show. A divorce certificate obtained by NBC News shows their divorce was finalized in 2021.

Natalie Rupnow, who also went by Samantha, shot and killed a teacher and a student and wounded six others during study hall on Monday at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, before dying from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. The victims were identified as Erin M. West, 42, and Rubi P. Vergara, 14.

Two students who sustained life-threatening injuries during the shooting remained in the hospital and the other four injured have been discharged, police said.

The FBI detained Alexander Paffendorf, 20, in California earlier this week and ordered him to temporarily surrender his firearms after he allegedly communicated with Natalie Rupnow. Authorities say Paffendorf admitted to discussing plans with Rupnow to arm himself with explosives and target a government building. The FBI uncovered messages between the two but did not disclose their alleged plans.

Paffendorf and his family could not immediately be reached for comment.

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A makeshift memorial at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., on Dec. 17.Jamie Kelter Davis / New York Times via Redux

The apparent turmoil in Natalie Rupnow’s family life, as documented by court records, offer a glimpse into events that may have shaped her path before Monday’s tragedy.

In 2022, Mellissa and Jeff Rupnow sought mediation for custody of Natalie. That May, Dane County Family Court Services notified the parents of a requirement to attend a “mandatory parent education program via Zoom” due to a “disagreement concerning child custody and/or physical placement.” A month later, according to court documents, Mellissa Rupnow had “been scheduled to attend on June 2nd and June 16, 2022, but did not appear” for the Parent Education Program. Shortly after, the couple was asked to appear for a “mandatory mediation session in person appointment.”

In July 2022, an agreement was reached, granting them joint legal custody of Natalie, who would primarily live with her father, according to court documents. The documents also indicate that the parents agreed to “consider Natalie’s therapist’s recommendations regarding placement” for Natalie during the weekends.

Natalie’s mother agreed to connect with her therapist and “participate in therapy to the extent recommended by the therapist,” according to the court documents. Natalie’s father would make “every effort to schedule therapy appointments” to accommodate the mother’s schedule.

The court documents noted that “the parents report a generally positive co-parenting relationship and will continue to communicate with one another by text messages and phone conversations.”

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Jeff and Mellissa Rupnow did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said the two are “fully cooperating” with investigators, who are still trying to identify a motive and have not released many details on the teenager.

“Identifying a motive is our top priority. But at this time, it appears that the motive was a combination of factors,” Barnes said at a news conference.

Trish Kilpin, the director of Wisconsin’s Office of School Safety, said on Monday that “targeted violence is preventable.”

“When somebody decides to use violence, it’s often to redress an upset or a grievance, and they progress down a pathway towards that violence,” Kilpin said. “And when they do that, they often study previous school shooting incidents.”

A neighbor of Jeff Rupnow’s who spoke to NBC News expressed shock when he learned about the shooting and described Jeff as a “kind person.”

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“He really helped us out,” said the neighbor, who did not want his name used out of fear of publicity about the case. “I know we’re still trying to piece everything together.”

The neighbor indicated he didn’t know Natalie, saying “the very limited things we knew, it’s horrifying for everyone, obviously, and just horrifying for the families of the school and those kids.”

Selina Guevara reported from Madison, and Chloe Atkins and Daniella Silva reported from New York City.



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