AUSTIN, Texas — Two notable Texas leaders were absent from the Republican National Convention when it started Monday in Milwaukee. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he will not attend at all this week, while Gov. Greg Abbott’s attendance is still unclear. Both based their decisions on the needs of Texans in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.  

What You Need To Know

  • Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he will not attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee

  • After being in Asia on official business when Hurricane Beryl made landfall, Abbott told reporters in Houston he would remain in Texas through Monday

  • Some political scientists say Abbott’s attendance is crucial to show the party’s strength and unity

“I’m taking what I do on a day-by-day basis,” said Abbott. 

Abbott is one of the many Texas Republicans slated to speak during the Republican National Convention this week. After being in Asia on official business when Hurricane Beryl made landfall, Abbott told reporters in Houston he would remain in Texas through Monday. 

“The people of Houston, Texas and this entire region that are affected by Hurricane Beryl, that’s my top priority period,” said Abbott. 

The governor’s staff did not respond on Monday when asked if there was an update to his travel plans. 

Southeast Texas Republican Joe Evans says Jefferson County sent two delegates to Wisconsin. Evans is not attending the convention—in part because of hurricane recovery efforts. 

“Ultimately his role is the state of Texas,” said Evans. 

Some political scientists say Abbott’s attendance is crucial to show the party’s strength and unity.

“He represents such a key component of any kind of Republican electoral win in the fall,” said Brian Smith, a St. Edward’s University professor of political sciences. 

“Taking it day by day is probably smart, making sure he’s got his base happy is another. But obviously the optics of being involved in the recovery are really important,” said Brandon Rottinghaus with the University of Houston Department of Political Science. 

But some Republican delegates are confident Abbott will make an appearance. 

“I look forward to seeing Gov. Abbott and Sen. Cruz in Wisconsin and Milwaukee at the RNC convention this week,” said Jonathan Saenz, president of Texas Values Action. 

In a statement, the Texas Democratic Party called upon Abbott, Sen. Ted Cruz and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to skip the convention in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

In response, Patrick announced on X that he decided to skip the convention days before Democrats called him out. He said last Friday that his first priority is “pushing CenterPoint and other utility companies in damaged areas to get power back and ensure our state continues to deliver what citizens need.”

Texas delegates say Patrick will be there in spirit. Political experts note the political consequences for Patrick missing the convention aren’t as dire as Abbott. 

“I can’t image a scenario where Republicans hold him accountable for not going. This is a situation of obvious disaster,” said Rottinghaus. 

There are other notable Texas Republicans in Milwaukee, including Attorney General Ken Paxton and Ag Commissioner Sid Miller. The state also sent 161 delegates, all who voted to make former President Donald Trump the party's official nominee.