Third District Congressman Jim Banks speaks at an Indianapolis town hall Monday Nov. 6, 2023. (Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
U.S. Rep. Jim Banks railed against President Joe Biden — calling him “an embarrassment” and “the weakest president in history” — during a primetime speech Tuesday at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Banks spoke as part of “Senate Candidate Hour,” which additionally featured remarks from GOP senate nominees in Arizona, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Nevada, Montana and Virginia.
His remarks touched on his humble upbringing but largely focused on rallying support to reelect former President Donald Trump.
“Only in America could a kid like me — who was born in a trailer park, the son of a factory worker and a nursing home cook — end up here,” Banks said. “I have lived the American dream. And I’m proud of it.”
“But the biggest difference today between Republicans and Democrats is that we believe America is the greatest country in the history of the world, but they don’t,” Banks continued. He added that — as an Afghanistan war veteran — he’s “never been more ashamed” than he was of Biden’s “disastrous withdrawal” from the Middle Eastern country “that left 13 American heroes dead.”
While focusing on Trump, Banks also reminded Americans that control of the Senate is at stake.
“We need President Trump back in the White House if we’re going to make America great once again — again,” Banks said. “But ladies and gentlemen, he’s going to need backup in the United States Senate. This is no time for wimpy Republicans. That’s why I’m running.”
If elected to the Senate, Banks said he’ll focus first on “securing the border.”
“If you came here illegally under Joe Biden, you’re going back to where you came from under Donald Trump,” he said.
The congressman also lauded Trump for his policies that “hold China accountable for taking our jobs,” emphasizing that the former “brought manufacturing back to Indiana and boosted wages for hard working Hoosiers.”
“Trump saved the American dream. But if we have Biden for four more years, that dream won’t be there for my three daughters,” Banks said. “So, we are going to take our country back for them, for your children, for your grandchildren, for every American.”
Banks was the only Hoosier to get a prime spot, though former GOP Chair Anne Hathaway is playing a significant role as one of Indiana’s two Republican National Committeemen.
The congressman is currently seeking Indiana’s open U.S. Senate seat. He easily secured the Republican nomination in May. He was ultimately unopposed on the primary ballot after Seymour egg farmer John Rust was removed.
A GOP favorite, Banks earned an endorsement from Trump in early 2023, the former president’s first of the cycle.
Banks will face Democrat Dr. Valerie McCray, a clinical psychologist, as well as Libertarian Andrew Horning in the November general election.
McCray said Banks focused on Trump instead of Hoosiers in his speech.
“I am concerned that the Republican Party continues to instigate fear-based politics, using undocumented immigrants as political pawns. If we deported every undocumented immigrant today, as Banks wants to do, our economy and businesses would suffer,” she said in a statement. “Hoosiers deserve a voice in the United States Senate who will work to make meaningful change. As your Senator, I will go to work on the issues Hoosiers care about: growing and protecting union jobs, restoring Roe v. Wade, and keeping the record job-growth going.”
The Senate seat is being vacated by Republican Mike Braun, who secured the GOP nomination in Indiana’s gubernatorial race and will now face Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater in November.
If elected, Banks will be one of the youngest lawmakers in the U.S. Senate.
Republican lawmakers, delegates and other party figures are gathering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin — just days after an assassination attempt against Trump, the GOP figurehead. The party officially named Trump the GOP nominee on Monday, along with his vice presidential running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance.
The convention has historically provided leading party figures and up-and-coming GOP lawmakers valuable airtime to speak about the party’s platform.
A number of other celebrity guest speakers — including model Amber Rose, as well as Sean O’Brien, leader of the Teamsters union, who both spoke Monday — are also on the agenda.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley were also scheduled to speak Tuesday night. Both Republicans challenged Trump for the party nomination before bowing out of the race when they failed to secure primary wins.
Trump appeared at the RNC arena Monday evening but will not formally address delegates until Thursday, the last day of the convention.
By Casey Smith — The Indiana Capital Chronicle.com is an independent, not-for-profit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.
