Skip to main content

The Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio: A photo gallery

There were lots of speeches, a contentious race for state party chair and a debate over the party's platform. Check out scenes from the 2018 Republican Party of Texas convention.

Republish
Workers sweep up confetti after Gov. Greg Abbott's keynote speech at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on June 15, 2018.
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

This year, the Republican Party of Texas held its biennial convention at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. Public business began on Thursday and continued through Saturday. There was a whirlwind of speeches, passionate delegates and tables full of merchandise — plus, the convention saw a fierce battle for chairmanship of the the state party. Texas Tribune reporters Patrick Svitek and Cassi Pollock were there, as were photographers Bob Daemmrich and Robin Jerstad. Here is a look at some of the scenes from three days of this colorful exercise in democracy, Texas style.

Thursday

Attendees at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio take part in the first day of the Republican Party of Texas convention on June 14, 2018.
Attendees at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio take part in the first day of the Republican Party of Texas convention. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune
A handgun on his hip, Terry Holcomb waits to ask a question at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on Saturday, June 16, 2018.
A handgun on his hip, Terry Holcomb waits to ask a question. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune
Bob Parks salutes the flag from the front row on the first day of the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on June 14, 2018.
Bob Parks salutes the flag from the front row on the first day of the convention. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Chairman James Dickey speaks on the first day of the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on Saturday, June 16, 2018.
Republican Party of Texas Chairman James Dickey, who faced a challenge for leadership of the state party from Cindy Asche, speaks on the convention's first day. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune
Vying for the chairmanship of the state Republican Party, Cindy Asche gives a speech at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on June 15, 2018.
Vying for the chairmanship of the state Republican Party, Cindy Asche speaks at the Republican Party of Texas convention. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Left to right: Jim Graham of Texas Right To Life, James Dickey, RPT chairman, state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, and Michael Q. Sullivan, president and CEO of Empower Texas, at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on June 14, 2018.
Left to right: Jim Graham of Texas Right To Life; James Dickey, RPT chairman; state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford; and Michael Q. Sullivan, president and CEO of Empower Texans. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Friday

Delegates listen to speeches from party chairman candidates and offer procedural votes at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on June 15, 2018.
Delegates listen to speeches from party chairman candidates and offer procedural votes at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Gov. Greg Abbott gives the keynote Friday speech at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on June 15, 2018.
Gov. Greg Abbott delivers the keynote speech on Friday morning. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gives a keynote speech to the delegates in the convention hall at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on Friday, June 15, 2018.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gives a keynote speech to the delegates in the convention hall. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

San Antonio, Texas June 15, 2018: Action on Friday at the second day of the Texas Republican Convention in San Antonio as Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the Gun Owners of America assembly.
At a Friday session, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at an event titled, "The constitutional response to mass shootings," sponsored by Gun Owners of America. Credit: Bob Daemmrich/BDP Inc.
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush talks to the press at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on June 15, 2018.
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush talks to the press at convention. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Party officials count ballots for the chairman's race between incumbent James Dickey and challenger Cindy Asche at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on June 15, 2018. Dickey won handily.
Party officials count ballots for the chairman's race between incumbent James Dickey and challenger Cindy Asche on Day 2 of the convention. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune
James Dickey give his victory speech after winning a rancorous battle against challenger Cindy Asche for the chairmanship of the Republican Party of Texas, in San Antonio on Friday, June 15, 2018.
James Dickey give his victory speech after winning a heated battle against challenger Cindy Asche for the chairmanship of the Republican Party of Texas. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Saturday

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz stands silhouetted onstage as he waits to deliver his speech to delegates at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on June Saturday 16, 2018.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz stands silhouetted on stage as he waits to deliver his speech to delegates. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz delivers his speech to assembled delegates at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on Saturday, June 16, 2018.
Cruz delivers his speech to assembled delegates at the convention. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Members of the state House of Representatives Texas Freedom Caucus at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on Saturday, June 16, 2018. Left to right: Kyle Biedermann, caucus Chairman Matt Schaefer, Briscoe Cain, Matt Rinaldi, Vice Chairman Bill Zedler, Valoree Swanson, Mike Lang and Matt Shaheen.
Members of the state House's Freedom Caucus at the convention. Left to right: Kyle Biedermann, caucus Chairman Matt Schaefer, Briscoe Cain, Matt Rinaldi, Vice Chairman Bill Zedler, Valoree Swanson, Mike Lang and Matt Shaheen. Credit: Bob Daemmrich/BDP, Inc.
Delegate Elizabeth Victory listens to discussions during the final afternoon of the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on June 16, 2018.
Delegate Elizabeth Victory listens to discussions during the final afternoon of the convention. Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune

Delegate Jack Finger of San Antonio looks for platform support in the closing hours of the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on Saturday, June 16, 2018. His sign reads, "They're diluting the '16 homosexuality' plank!! Pray! Listen for motions!"
Delegate Jack Finger of San Antonio looks for platform support in the closing hours of the convention. His sign reads, "They're diluting the '16 homosexuality' plank!! Pray! Listen for motions!" Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune
Delegates leave during the final hours of the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on Saturday, June 16, 2018.
Delegates leave during the final hours of the convention. Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune

As the convention winds down, delegates get their picture taken in front of the Texas flag-themed GOP elephant during the final afternoon of the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on Saturday, June 16, 2018.
As the convention winds down, delegates get their picture taken in front of the Texas flag-themed GOP elephant during the final afternoon of the Republican Party of Texas convention. Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune

Why you can rely on the Tribune during this legislative session

I hope this article helped you feel more informed about your state. At The Texas Tribune, we believe democracy only works if Texans understand what's happening in their Capitol and other halls of power. That's why I want to ask for your support ahead of the legislative session starting Tuesday.

Donations of any amount help our journalists cover state politicians, but a monthly or yearly gift makes the most impact, allowing us to invest in crucial in-depth journalism. You can rely on the Tribune to explain to Texans what’s being voted on under the pink dome in the coming weeks.

Support independent Texas news

Become a member. Join today.

Choose an amount or learn more about membership.

$18 $20 $25 Other
Donate now

Information about the authors

John Jordan’s staff photo

John Jordan

Deputy Director of Photography

jjordan@texastribune.org

Learn about The Texas Tribune’s policies, including our partnership with The Trust Project to increase transparency in news.

Explore related story topics

Politics State government 2018 elections 2018 Texas U.S. Senate Election Republican Party Of Texas