Patrick on state GOP convention in Houston: 'Our party will unite to keep Texas red'

The 2022 State GOP Convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Downtown Houston has begun, according to a report from Houston FOX affiliate KRIV. 

KRIV reported that as many as 9,000 Texas Republicans have gathered for the event, which is taking place just some three weeks after the National Rifle Association (NRA) held their annual meeting. 

"Our party will unite to KEEP TEXAS RED and win elections up and down the ballot this November!" Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a tweet.

Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General (AG) Ken Paxton and Patrick himself have reelection bids in the 2022 midterm elections.

Each candidate and numerous other Republican candidates have been endorsed by former President Donald J. Trump when he visited the Houston area earlier this year.

KRIV reported that the crowd consists of a sizable Hispanic representation.

According to the station, one attendee said that Hispanics are "traditionally" conservative.

"So they just have to be educated on what the Republican Party stands for," convention delegate Richard Urdiales said, KRIV reported.

Most South Texas Latinos at the convention expressed disgust with the Biden administration's handling of the crisis at the border with Mexico, the station reported

The party convention is held biennially.

Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that the 2022 event is the first time delegates meet in person in nearly half a decade.

COVID-19 relegated the 2020 convention to computer, tablet and phone screens after organizers fought to have it as an in-person event to no avail, per the station.

During the convention, KPRC reported, party members and leaders will talk legislative priorities and hold officer elections.

It runs through Saturday.