CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coastal Bend residents eagerly watched Donald Trump and Kamala Harris' first debate on Tuesday, some of them alongside the chairs for the local Democratic and Republican parties.
Nueces County Republicans held their watch party at the Holiday Inn Airport, rooting for their candidate in the former president.
Among the attendees, were candidates running for various local positions seeking the party's endorsement.
Nueces County Republican Party Chairman Carmen Calderone shared his thoughts on what he hopes to come from the presidential debate.
"We're ready to take back over," Calderone said. "The economy is a mess and the last four years have not been good leadership and we think Trump's ready to come in and take back over. The Democrats, I feel like they're trying to create excitement with Kamala Harris but I don't think it's there."
Meantime across town, members of the Nueces County Democrats hosted their watch party and watched Vice President Harris debate the former president.
It's where 3NEWS spoke with the Nueces County Democratic Party Chairman René Sáenz ahead of the event who was looking to see a show of strength from Kamala.
"I want her to prosecute the case against a convicted criminal," Sáenz said. "He was convicted of a crime, 34 crimes to be exact. Prosecute the case right there, remind the voters of the danger of Donald Trump because he's a danger and a threat to U.S. society."
Though the parties vary in views and who they're supporting both agreed that the debate was an important event and were excited to finally see the two battle it out on the big screen.
Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
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