Here’s What Business Owners Can Expect From the Republican National Convention

Date: July 18, 2016

Republicans will nominate Donald Trump—and release their platform priorities that’ll be hugely important to small business.

It’s about to become official. 

After a four-day convention in Cleveland from July 18-21, Republican delegates will nominate Donald Trump as their 2016 presidential candidate. It’s a week likely to include some fireworks—from Trump or others. 

“It’s very important to put some showbiz into a convention, otherwise people are going to fall asleep,” Trump told The Washington Post

Which candidate has small business’ best interest in mind? 

The Republican National Committee released a list of 62 individuals scheduled to speak over the course of the convention, mostly comprised of former and current Republican lawmakers, with celebrities such as Willie Robertson, star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty, sprinkled throughout. 

“[The list of speakers] is notable both for who is on it and who is not on it,” NPR reported

Neither John McCain nor Mitt Romney—the Republican presidential candidates in 2008 and 2012 respectively—will be attending the convention, in addition to the absence of the Bush family, CNN reported

Definitely on the speaker list: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Trump’s pick for vice president—a move that the business mogul announced via Twitter on July 15. 

“As governor of Indiana, [Pence] implemented policies that our members strongly supported, including the largest tax cut in Indiana history and a regulatory review process that gave small business owners a seat at the table,” said NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan. 

The Republican platform committee has released a draft of its 2016 plan for the convention, which The New York Times characterized as “staunchly conservative.” 

On paper, the platform looks friendly to small business. It calls for an extension to the “Bush tax cuts,” reducing marginal tax rates by 20 percent at all income levels, abolishing the death tax, and repealing the alternative minimum tax. In particular, reducing taxes and getting rid of the estate tax have been a high priority for business owners for some time. 

Democrats will hold their nominating convention on July 25-28 in Philadelphia shortly after the Republicans conclude theirs. 

*Note: This news coverage does not equate to an endorsement of any candidate by NFIB.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore

Related: 

Would Trump Be the True “Small Business President”?

What is Donald Trump’s Plan for Small Business?

How Would a Democratic President Affect Small Business?

Owners Agree: Clinton, Trump and Sanders Are Ignoring Small Business Issues

Libertarians, Small Business, and the 2016 Election: A Good or Bad Mix?

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