Butler County political figures make pilgrimage to Milwaukee for RNC
After a week that changed Butler County forever and completely altered the tone of the 2024 presidential election, several local political figures are in Milwaukee, where the national spotlight has shifted to the Republican National Convention.
One of those attendees is local attorney Tom King of the law firm Dillon, McCandless, King, Coulter & Graham, who in addition to his legal duties, serves as the general counsel to the Republican Party of Pennsylvania.
King, one of the Pennsylvania delegates to the RNC this week where former President Donald Trump will receive the Republican nomination for president, described the atmosphere in Milwaukee as “electric.”
“There is a huge, enthusiastic reaction from every single delegate from every single state,” King said. “There isn't an empty seat in the house. The presence of President Trump has electrified the crowd. Their support for him is overwhelming.”
In addition to King, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, Butler native and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, and her sister, Butler County Recorder of Deeds Michele Mustello, also made the trip to the Badger State for the convention.
“The biggest day was Monday, when the Pennsylvania delegation cast their votes for President Trump,” said Michele Mustello.
Due to the events of the past weekend, the opening portion of the convention has been tinged with sadness, especially for Corey Comperatore, the former Buffalo Township fire chief who was killed in Saturday’s shooting at the rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
Many of the Butler County representatives who made the trek to Milwaukee, including Kelly, were present on that dark day in Butler County.
“The entire audience is in mourning for the loss,” King said. “The respect for him and his family is immense. He's been mentioned numerous times by the speakers. There was extreme sadness for his loss and the two other victims who were shot.”
For obvious reasons, security has been heightened around the Fiserv Forum and in Milwaukee as a whole, with officers dispatched from as far away as Miami. King described Milwaukee as being under “lockdown” for the convention week.
“The security is incredible,” King said. “I've seen state troopers here from states like Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana. There’s lots of Secret Service agents, and a tremendous amount of security here.”
According to Michele Mustello, there are frequent searches of badges by security, and the perimeter of the convention facility is surrounded by high metal fences that are covered in metal detectors.
“It’s like every step we take, we are scrutinized,” Michele Mustello said. “I have to trust that the security has it all covered.”
On Monday, officers from Ohio shot and killed a man who was brandishing a knife at a homeless encampment a mile from the arena.
Despite the increased measures, Michele Mustello is treating it as just part of the convention.
“It’s not an offensive show of security,” she said. “It's not like every five minutes, ‘Who are you? Why are you here?’ or anything like that. It’s not like that all. I feel like we’re doing our job by being here.”
King said that while the events of Saturday are replaying in his mind throughout convention week, he will not let them overcome him.
“I don't think that anyone who was in Butler that day will ever forget it,” King said. “It certainly does go through your mind when you’re observing the proceedings, but we can't let evil stop us in our lives. Regardless of our party affiliation, you can't let evil stop whatever it is you believe in.”
