Illinois Republicans are leaving their party’s national convention split on the candidacy of Donald Trump.
John Anthony is a former state representative and a former police officer.
“I think I have become a fan of Donald Trump,” Anthony said Friday morning.
Anthony advocated for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio during the primary, and didn’t think very highly of Trump before Thursday night’s speech. Anthony says he prefers candidates who are more laid back.
But Trump’s comments in favor of police officers changed Anthony’s mind about the Republican presidential nominee.
“So many of my boys, my brothers and sisters in blue, are depressed at this time. Most of them don’t want to do the job because they’re afraid of the consequence,” Anthony said.
But former state GOP chairman Pat Brady checked out of his Cleveland hotel early, skipping Trump’s speech altogether. Brady was a delegate for Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
Walking through the hotel lobby with his shoelaces untied and a toothbrush hanging out of his mouth, Brady said his suitcase was more organized than the Trump campaign.
Tony Arnold covers Illinois politics. Follow him @tonyjarnold
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