Scenes from the Texas GOP Convention

Thousands of delegates gathered Thursday through Saturday at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas for the biennial convention of the Republican Party of Texas. It did not turn out to be, as many hoped, a “home-state pit stop in Ted Cruz's battle to the end against Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination.” Cruz’s bid came to an end in Indiana, but there was plenty of business for the party to take care of in the nation’s biggest red state. And the delegates got to hear from Cruz himself, along with a roster of other statewide officials.

Enlarge Photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Entrance to the Republican state convention at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.

After the opening pledges of allegiance and some welcoming remarks from state party officials, the opening round of speeches began with Gov. Greg Abbott, who laid out his accomplishments as governor and state attorney general. 

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Gov. Greg Abbott gave the opening speech at the state Republican convention in Dallas, Texas on May 12, 2016.

The convention also marked the beginning of a book tour for Gov. Abbott. “Broken but Unbowed” mixes details of the accident that paralyzed him, his many lawsuits against the federal government and his call for state-initiated amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

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Gov. Greg Abbott's new book, "Broken but Unbowed," went on sale at the state Republican convention. A tour starts next week.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was up next with his opening-day speech. The “bathroom wars” were still very much on his mind after his high-profile press conference before a Fort Worth school board meeting denouncing that school district’s rules for transgender students and calling for the superintendent’s resignation.

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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick assures the audience at the Freedom, Faith and Fellowship event May 12, 2016 that he will uphold conservative principles as leader of the Texas Senate in 2017.

Speeches from state GOP luminaries continued throughout the day.

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Ted Cruz's father Rafael Cruz ends his sermon to the Republican Party of Texas faithful with a shout on May 12, 2016.

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State Comptroller Glenn Hegar speaks at the GOP state convention in Dallas Texas on May 12, 2016.

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Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick speaks at the GOP state convention in Dallas, Texas on May 12, 2016.

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Former Ted Cruz running mate Carly Fiorina gives a keynote at the Freedom, Faith and Fellowship event May 12, 2016 at the Republican Party of Texas convention.

Friday was a key day of business at the convention, but it began with another press conference held by Patrick. Late Thursday, the New York Times reported that President Obama was planning an executive order requiring public schools to accommodate its transgendered children, raising the stakes dramatically.

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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick addresses a packed press conference on transgender issues at the state GOP convention in Dallas, Texas on May 13, 2016.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas gave Friday’s keynote speech.

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U.S. Sen. John Cornyn wraps up his keynote address to delegates at the Republican Party of Texas convention in Dallas on May 13, 2016.

The actual business of the convention — nailing together a platform, electing party officials, selecting delegates — brought Republicans from all over the state to Dallas.

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A delegate heads to the floor May 12, 2016 at the Republican Party of Texas convention in Dallas.

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The Ted Cruz booth at the Republican Party of Texas convention in Dallas was lined with notes to the U.S. senator on May 12, 2016, the week after he bowed out of the presidential race.

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Vietnam veteran Jim Faulkner of Calhoun County signs a Trump for President banner at the Republican Party of Texas event in Dallas May 13, 2016.

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Texas Republicans study the proposed party platform as the debate plays out in Dallas on May 13, 2016.

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Delegate James Blair of Cherokee County open carries a firearm while leaving the Dallas Convention Center at the Republican Party of Texas gathering on May 14, 2016.

Saturday — the last day for delegates, but not for party workers and vendors left to clean up and tear down on Sunday — saw convention business concluded, along with more speeches, including Cruz’s, perhaps the most anticipated of the weekend.

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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in his hotel suite as he prepares for his keynote speech to Republican delegates in Dallas May 14, 2016.

Enlarge Photo by: Bob Daemmrich

Ted Cruz thanks Texas Republicans for supporting his presidential bid in a Dallas speech on May 14, 2016.