OKLAHOMA CITY – Donald Trump was the candidate of choice at the recent National Federation of Republican Women’s conference, according to a straw poll.
The conference, held Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at the Omni Hotel and Oklahoma City Convention Center, brought women from all 50 states to hear guest speakers discuss Republican politics and the upcoming presidential election. More than 1,000 GOP women attended the event.
The poll found that 60% of the women favored Trump with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in second. DeSantis has been endorsed by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley finished third, according to the straw poll.
With more than 60,000 members across the U.S., NFRW is the largest grassroots organization for Republican women in the country. An offshoot of the Republican National Committee, NFRW was founded in 1938 and is in its 85th year.
The poll also found that securing the southern border was the most important election issue followed by limiting government spending. Job creation and economic growth were other key issues along with inflation, abortion and concerns about China’s increased global influence.
Speakers included former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbert, author Gordon Chang, U.S. Sen. James Lankford, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, Oklahoma Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd, former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines and Susan Hutchinson, wife of GOP presidential hopeful Asa Hutchinson.
Two of the key votes by the federation focused on ensuring only women would be included in the NFRW. However, Lorie Legere, president of the Oklahoma chapter of the NFRW, said the main goal “is to get enthusiastic, interested and prepared” for the 2024 presidential election.
“We need to be united in our efforts for the Republican nominee,” she said. “We do not offer our support until after the primary. But once there is a nominee, we will have boots on the ground and get united with the campaign. We’ll be needed when that starts. We’ll be happy to make calls, go to events and go door knocking.”
Conference attendees discussed whether they are better off than four years ago and the cost of living.
“We want spending to come under control at the federal level and we want something to be done to help the economy,” Legere said.
Legere is the Garfield County clerk and will serve on the national executive board as a member at-large.
This was the first time Oklahoma City had been selected to serve as host city for the biennial event.
“It was a huge honor,” Legere said. “Women from all 50 states left impressed with the friendliness of our state.”