Once again, Gardnerville is the host city of the Basque Fry, with 3,000 Nevadans from 17 counties coming to the republican event. The fundraiser started just a couple of years ago, giving voters a chance to hear from state and federal leaders.
"We wanted to create an event," Attorney General Adam Laxalt, R-Nevada said. "Some come for $40 and hear three, four, five, six national leaders in person, be able to shake their hand, be able to meet them and I think it's really exciting for every day Nevadans."
Vice President Mike Pence was slated to speak at the event, along with Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Both had to cancel their visits because of Hurricane Harvey, which slammed into the Texas coast, Friday.
"First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers go out to Texas but this is a massive national emergency," Laxalt said. "They made the right call, without a question. People understand this is what happens. These are public servants. They've got to do that job first."
Laxalt is the GOP frontrunner for governor, with Gov. Brian Sandoval in the final 16 months in office, but nothing is official.
"We'll be making that decision in the coming weeks," Laxalt said.
People at the Basque Fry may have thought it was a done deal, with multiple state lawmakers putting their support behind the attorney general, while speaking at the event.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I know he hasn't announced but I kind of want to introduce the next governor of this state," Assem. Jim Wheeler, R-Gardnerville said. "Ladies and gentlemen, our attorney general, the man who put this on for you, who brought you all these people, Mr. Adam Laxalt."
Sen. Michael Roberson is running for Lieutenant Governor of Nevada in 2018, and echoed Wheeler.
"We have to elect a conservative governor in 2018 and I will be standing side-by-side with you, trying to make sure that person is Adam Laxalt," Roberson, R-Henderson said.
Laxalt entered the stage with his wife, Jaime, and their two daughters.
"We're going to make 2018 the year where republicans take back the state of Nevada," Laxalt said.
Laxalt's speech was interrupted, shortly after taking the stage, when three democratic protestors began blowing whistles and chanting "Nevadans Resist Hate". One woman had a banner that read "Nevadans Reject Hate". All three were escorted off of the ranch. Autumn Zemke was one of them.
“I’m proud that I took our message of tolerance to the Basque Fry and Adam Laxalt,” Zemke said. "My family has been in Nevada since the 1870s and I know real Nevadan values. That’s why I stood up to reject hate.”
The Basque Fry is a consistent anchor event for the republicans, raising about a half-million dollars between Laxalt's campaign and the Morning in Nevada PAC.
The event offers Basque food and drinks, entertainment and many booths. Attendees say they were there to support their political party.
"We're here to support all the things going on in our administration and our country," Greg Lehman, Dayton resident said.
"I am here, not only as a fan of the Republican Party, but as a wonderful event that they have every year to raise money for republican candidates," Mary Lou Gervie, Gardnerville resident said.
