Fewer than 24 hours remain until President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office, and Floridians in Washington are getting pumped for a new era in national politics.
Conservatives have traveled from all over the state to see Trump place his hand on the Bible and take the reins of the nation. For many, it’s been a long time coming and it is going to be an experience they say they’ll never forget.
“My grandchildren are going to read about me and I think that’s so wonderful that I can carry on this legacy,” said Kat Gates-Skipper, one of Florida’s 29 electors. “I had a hand in trying to make America great again.”
Gates-Skipper is a newbie to the inaugural process. Never in her wildest dreams, she told Sunshine State News on Thursday, did she ever believe she’d be sitting in front of the Capitol, witnessing her fervent involvement in politics come to fruition.
“I feel like I helped make part of history,” she said. “Sometimes I get teary-eyed thinking, ‘How did I get here?’ What an adventure.”
Other Floridians headed to the nation’s capital shared the same sentiments. The majority of them have never seen an inauguration in person, let alone be part of one.
“[This] is an absolute honor,” Republican Party of Florida Chairman and presidential elector Blaise Ingoglia said. “It’ll probably be one of the highlights of my life.”
Florida conservatives kicked off the inauguration festivities Wednesday, gathering at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium for a Florida-themed ball. At the ball, hosted by Gov. Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott, attendees had their own "surfin’ safari" with a special appearance by the Beach Boys.
On Thursday, Ann Scott held a tea reception for Floridians. On Friday, the governor is scheduled to host a watch party for the inaugural parade -- the major event that follows the inauguration.
Floridians have had a special role in President-elect Trump’s rise to power. Trump, who resides in Palm Beach part-time, has close connections throughout the Sunshine State and it was there where some of his strongest supporters launched his journey to "make America great.”
Those early supporters have been rewarded by getting some of the closest views to their new president. Many of them will be seated near the president when he is sworn in Friday morning.
Sarasota Republican State Committeeman Christian Ziegler, an elector and one of Trump’s early supporters in Florida, said the inauguration represents an emotional moment for people like him, because so few actually get to participate in an inauguration.
“It’s an awesome experience and it’s a bucket-list item for anyone involved in politics,” Ziegler said. “This has been a great year, it’s been a lot of fun. This is the final step to the transition of power.”
Gates-Skipper said she was looking forward to seeing what kinds of changes Trump would make in the White House -- and said Americans need to be willing to hear out Trump, who has been highly controversial.
"Just give the man a chance," she said. "Let’s see what he can do."
Trump’s swearing in will be at 11:30 a.m. ET Friday.
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