Trump wins Republican nomination for president

CLEVELAND — Donald Trump, real estate mogul and reality television star, officially became the Republican nominee for president on Tuesday.

Trump’s nomination at the Republican National Convention made history slightly more than a year after he started an unconventional bid for president. The billionaire businessman, whose vast portfolio includes the Trump International tower near the Strip, started with name recognition but not the elected experience voters usually expect.

State by state, party officials declared the number of delegates supporting Trump and former candidates who dropped out as his stock soared with GOP voters looking for a departure from establishment candidates.

The roll call was planned so that Trump’s home state of New York would push him beyond the 1,237-delegate threshold needed for the nomination. Donald J. Trump Jr. announced the vote on the convention floor, declaring that New York was casting 89 votes for his father and six for Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

“Congratulations, Dad, we love you,” he shouted out.

Donald Jr. later spoke at the convention, speaking about growing up and learning the value of hard work from his father.

“For my father, impossible is just a starting point,” he said. “That’s how he approaches business projects. That’s how he approaches life.”

Also on the convention floor at Quicken Loans Arena were some of Donald Trump’s other children, including Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump.

Delegates erupted in cheers and waved signs as the song “New York, New York” played.

NEVADA ROLL CALL

Nevada Republicans’ vote was the culmination of a process that started with a February caucus, when GOP voters overwhelmingly backed Donald Trump.

The process hit a glitch, when national party officials announced from the stage that two of Nevada’s delegates went to Dr. Ben Carson, a former GOP presidential candidate. As a result, it sounded as if Nevada had 14 delegates supporting Trump instead of 16.

But Carson had unbound his two Nevada delegates, who then had put their support behind Trump.

From the convention floor beyond the stage, Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald announced into the microphone that 16 delegates were for Trump.

In all, Nevada has 30 delegates. For the remainder: seven went to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, six to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and one to Ohio Gov. Kasich.

Earlier in the day, Nevada delegates attended a lunch that featured Carson as one of the speakers.

CONVENTION SPEAKERS

Dana White, president of Ultimate Fighting Championship and a Las Vegas resident, praised Trump for supporting his business when it was considered a “bloodsport” and hadn’t yet attained widespread legitimacy.

“Nobody took us seriously,” he said. “Nobody — except Donald Trump.”

“Donald Trump was the first guy that recognized the potential that we saw in the UFC and encouraged us to build our business.”

The UFC has held some mixed martial arts competitions at Trump venues, and Trump has shown up to sit in the front row, he said.

“Donald championed the UFC before it was popular,” White said, adding he’s not a business partner with Trump.

“I’ve been in the fight business my whole life,” White said. “I know fighters. Ladies and gentlemen, Donald Trump is a fighter.”

Natalie Gulbis, a Las Vegas resident and professional golfer on the LPGA Tour, spoke of Trump’s encouragement during her career and other efforts, including opening a Boys and Girls Club in Henderson in 2013.

Trump advised Gulbis to never fear challenging the status quo, she said. Trump encouraged her and with his help, she opened the club.

Although her career hasn’t always been a level playing field, she said, “Donald remains a consistent voice.”

The speaker lineup also featured Trump’s daughter, 22-year-old Tiffany Trump.

“Whatever he does, he gives his all and does it well,” she said. “His desire for excellence is contagious.”

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Find @BenBotkin on Twitter.