Water rises at Bob Hall Pier in Corpus Christi, Texas as Hurricane Harvey approaches on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. The slow-moving hurricane could be the fiercest such storm to hit the United States in almost a dozen years. Forecasters labeled Harvey a "life-threatening storm" that posed a "grave risk" as millions of people braced for a prolonged battering. (Courtney Sacco/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via AP)
With Hurricane Harvey rapidly approaching the Gulf Coast, Vice President Mike Pence and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz have decided to cancel their planned appearances at Attorney General Adam Laxalt’s annual Basque Fry.
The third annual barbecue fundraiser was set for Saturday at the Corley Ranch in Gardnerville and expected to draw a large crowd because of the vice president’s attendance.
Laxalt issued a statement saying he understands the two felt it most appropriate to focus their attention on the people who will be affected by the storm.
“While I am grateful that these two great leaders had planned to visit us (Saturday) at the Basque Fry, they are each making the correct and best decision and I fully support them both,” said Laxalt in a statement.
He said, however, the event will go on, including remarks by conservative speakers such as Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union , Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez.
The Basque Fry is hosted by Laxalt’s PAC Morning in Nevada and is one of his key annual fundraisers.
“We have been engaged all week with the President’s visit to Reno and the Vice President to Douglas County. The Fire Department, Public Works, Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Division of Investigation, Capitol Police, Nevada Highway Patrol and Department of Public Safety were all engaged in the preparation plans for the motorcade through Northern Nevada. All of this is indicative of the strong relationships we have with our counterpart agencies and the support from other departments in Carson City and we truly appreciate it,” Sheriff Ken Furlong said.
“The Vice President’s entire itinerary would have engaged us directly in Douglas County as well as in Carson City; It would have taken significant resources from us, but as the capitol city these types of events take place from time to time, so we thoroughly enjoy this.”
Hurricane Harvey was listed midday Friday as a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds. It was expected to make landfall on the Gulf Coast near Corpus Christi, Texas late Friday or early Saturday and could stall over the state, which weather experts say could lead to major flooding.