Springfield, Il (WSIL) -- The Illinois Republican Party honored the "Land of Opportunity" during the second day of the Republican National Convention. The delegation highlighted the importance of minority voices within the conservative party.
Members say they want to see policies that work for every American instead of catering to the country's Democratic base.
"This ideology is the complete opposite of what the American dream is, the complete opposite of what my mother came here for and the American dream she was able to build for our family, and what I hope to build for my family. This state is imploding," said Catalina Lauf.
Catalina (left) and Madeline Lauf were featured in a video montage during the first night of the 2020 Republican National Convention.
The former Republican Congressional candidate's mother immigrated from Guatemala. Lauf gained national attention for her continued support of President Donald Trump's immigration policies. She lost in the highly-contested primary race to state Senator Jim Oberweis.
Still, Lauf notes Hispanic and millennial women don't fit the "stereotypical Republican image." Black Illinois conservatives know the feeling.
"Yes, we are coming into your communities, but we're not leaving. We're setting up and we're staying," said Will County Republican Chair George Pearson. "We're here to take the barbs as well as the good, but we want real conversations with everyday folks so that we can figure out exactly how to change our condition. And, I do mean 'our,' because we're all in this together."
Talking to everyday people
Other Black leaders feel the Democratic party relies too heavily on celebrities to convey the importance of voting their ticket.
"Michelle Obama can talk all day long on how she's depressed, but you're depressed in a multi-million dollar home. Let's talk to everyday people," added Black Conservative Federation Founder Diante Johnson. "That's why the Republican convention has hit it on the nail when it's been everyday people."
Young Hispanic candidates like Jesus Solorio Jr. are looking forward to a new era of change. The Chicago native believes a strong message President Abraham Lincoln once shared shortly before the end of the Civil War.
"I have faith in the people. They will not consent to disunion," Solorio quoted. "The danger is, they are misled. Let them know the truth, and the country is safe."
The Democratic Party of Illinois says the Republicans are "grasping at straws" to distract from a real crisis.
"Just like everything Trump's inherited, he squandered a strong and growing economy. His mismanagement of the coronavirus has cost millions of Americans their jobs, forced small businesses to close, and put our economy on the brink of another Great Depression. We can't live like this anymore," stated Party Chairman Mike Madigan. "Donald Trump is not up to the task of being president and never was. It's time to elect Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Democrats up and down the ballot."
