Outside the Lively GOP Debate Watch Party in Reno, Nevada
On Tuesday evening, the Washoe County Republican Party hosted a debate watch party and barbecue at the Team Trump office in Reno, Nevada. The event, which required attendees to RSVP in advance, was closed to media coverage, but Reynolds School of Journalism students Piper Heath, Ariel Van Cleve and Kat Fulwider were able to cover the story from the sidewalk outside.
Inside and outside the Team Trump office on 4th street in Reno, Nevada, in a swing state in a swing county, the atmosphere was festive for last night’s watch party debate.
Attendees dressed in patriotic and MAGA gear, creating a sea of red, white, and blue. Smells of barbeque drifted by as plates heaped with fresh grilled dogs and homemade food were shuttled from the parking lot into the office.
The energy was already high before the start of the debate, with attendees chanting “Trump, Trump, Trump…” from inside. That energy did not dwindle as the debate unfolded, but rather seemed to intensify. Laughter and cheers erupted frequently in response to Trump’s remarks, emphasizing the unwavering support among his local base.
The 2024 presidential debate marked a significant moment in the election season, with former president Donald Trump facing off in a debate for the first and potentially last time against his opponent, Democratic Party nominee and current vice president Kamala Harris.
Harris was chosen as the Democratic nominee following Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race, after a previous debate on June 27th, during which the 81-year-old president faltered.
In this latest debate, pundits agreed Harris performed at above expectations, even if both candidates were sometimes thin on policy details.
Immigration, the economy, the national debt, and election integrity were among the top issues for Reno GOP watch party attendees.
“These people don’t have papers. They just come right in and say, ‘Hey, we’re here! Give us everything free,’” said Melissa Lopez, the chair of the Washoe County Republican Assembly, voicing concerns about undocumented immigrants.
“I do know that there’s a lot of immigrants here that are just taking up the housing,” Sparks resident Debbie Hudgens alleged.
As discussions evolved, attendees drew connections between immigration and other pressing issues. The conversation shifted to economic concerns, with several participants noting the rising cost of living. “I hate going shopping now because everything’s too expensive,” said Lopez, expressing a frustration shared by many.
Recently retired middle school worker and Trump campaign volunteer Erin Phillips echoed similar concerns about the rising cost of living and fears surrounding Social Security.
“I’m 65. The people of my generation we have all paid into [social security], and illegal immigrants are collecting Social Security that didn’t pay into it. I can’t afford to pay for them. I can barely afford to pay for myself,” said Phillips.
She also shared her personal struggle with healthcare expenses. “I had to get assistance to help pay for my insulin… I’m healthy, but I can’t afford the insulin and I’m afraid it’s going to cost so much. It’s going to go back up and I won’t be able to afford it,” Phillips added.
Election integrity concerns were also prominent, with Nicholas St Jon, a Reno resident originally from Kansas, urging action.
“Can we beat the cheat? We can but everybody has to get involved,” he said, alluding to unfounded claims the 2020 presidential was stolen in Biden’s favor.
Building on St Jon’s concerns, Lopez advocated for specific changes to the voting system. “We need to get our ballots fixed. We need to get voter integrity…We need paper ballots,” she said.
Though the presidential debate covered a broad spectrum of national issues, attendees at the Reno watch party zeroed in on topics that hit close to home.
When the conversation turned to abortion, typically a rallying point for conservatives to oppose, Lopez offered a perspective that diverged from the expected party line. “The government has no right. We have abortion here in Nevada. Let’s leave it alone,” she said.
Despite the debate’s potential to sway voters, many attendees had already made their decision. “Absolutely,” said Debbie Hudgens when asked if she would vote for Trump, a sentiment echoed by others throughout the evening.
However, some independent voters remained undecided. Justin Sherwood, a former RFK Jr. supporter and self-described swing voter, arrived at the watch party with a case of Bud Light, poking a playful jab at a stereotype of Trump supporters’ cultural dislike for the beer, after a transgender influencer promoted it on Instagram.
“I feel like I don’t want either of the major two parties and I haven’t for a long time. I’ve never actually voted for either of them. I voted Gary Johnson in 2016. I voted for Andrew Yang in 2020. I just wrote him in,” said Sherwood.
After RFK Jr. dropped out and endorsed Trump, Sherwood reconsidered his options. “As a responsible voter in a democracy I’m not going to continue to vote for bogeymen — I’m not going to vote for the guy because he’s the lesser evil,” Sherwood said. “I genuinely do think it is very likely I’ll vote for Trump.”
The Reno watch party offered a snapshot of voter sentiment in a key battleground state as the 2024 election season gains momentum ahead of Election Day November 5. As the night came to an end, Trump supporters left with one last message. “VOTE!” they said.
