Metro Atlanta Republicans cheer Trump on final night of RNC

“It was a scary time, especially when it hits close to home,” she said. She has lost family members to gun violence.

Dulci, 41, is the kind of Georgia voter the Trump campaign is hoping to woo: a black woman from Fulton County. She hasn’t decided who to support in the election and has been open to hearing what Trump had to say. She said she would consider voting for him if he would moderate some of his views, for example on restrictions on firearms.

Credits: Seeger Gray / AJC

Credits: Seeger Gray / AJC

The event, hosted by the Republican parties of Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties, drew supporters loyal to Trump since his 2016 presidential campaign, as well as voters curious about his message after the weekend attack and many interested in seeing how many people the party’s big tent can hold.

The lobby was decorated with a mix of American flags and posters of characters from “Despicable Me 4” and “Inside Out 2.” Inside, attendees were enthusiastic and hopeful, frequently applauding during Trump’s remarks.

“I’m running to be president of all of America, not half of America, because there is no victory to be won for half of America,” Trump said during his speech.

Frank Garritano, 51, who describes himself as a “unicorn,” agreed.

He is a conservative who identifies as bisexual and dates a man. Transferred from Los Angeles to Reynoldstown during the 2023 writers’ strike, Garritano works in television and film, which he describes as “a pretty liberal industry.”

Attempts to put him in a box frustrate him. “The only box is being an American. We all have differences that we celebrate, but our primary goal should not be to separate ourselves,” he said.

Credits: Seeger Gray / AJC

Credits: Seeger Gray / AJC

He compared being conservative on a television production set to being gay 40 or 50 years ago.

“It’s almost like having to come out. It keeps a lot of people in the closet because they don’t want to face negative reactions,” he said.

He also defended Trump’s record on LGBTQ+ issues, siding with him in opposing gender-affirming treatment of children under 18.

“We’re not the same person at 12 or 20,” he said. “It’s not about being anti-trans. It’s about protecting young people.”

Sam Murray, 40, said he was I’m interested to see if Trump’s speech takes a new tone after the attack on his life.

“There are some things I need to hear from him. I’m going to vote for him, but I want to hear some assurances,” he said.

Credits: Seeger Gray / AJC

Credits: Seeger Gray / AJC

What Murray wants most from a second Trump term is bipartisanship.

“There are things that the left has on its agenda that I think a lot of (Republicans) would like. “I can’t paint as if it’s good immediately,” he said.

But lawmakers should work together “to reach mutually acceptable solutions to the problems,” he said.

Murray, who lives in Sandy Springs, said he wants to see Trump follow through on his promise to create an economy that helps hire more workers because he has struggled to find new work in the current job market.

Marc Hayes, 80, said he has been affected by the price increase, especially because he has a fixed income.

“Things cost more than they should, in my opinion,” he said.

But he also wants to see Trump encourage dialogue rather than divisive rhetoric.

“I want to hear voices of reconciliation and unity in the country. That’s what we need, and I hope that’s what we hear,” said Hayes, who lives in Brookhaven. “We need to stop accusing each other of all sorts of salacious crimes and threats to democracy. I don’t think that serves the common good.”

In response to Republican lawmakers who have accused President Joe Biden of instigating the assassination attempt on Trump, including Georgia Congressman Mike Collins, Hayes said, “I don’t believe in conspiracy theories.”