Milwaukee likely host of 2024 RNC; Democratic Senate debate; Chantia Lewis pleads guilty

Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·4 min read
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Milwaukee likely host of 2024 RNC

The Milwaukee downtown skyline along Lake Michigan is seen with the Milwaukee Art Museum, the US Bank building, and the Northwest Mutual tower in Milwaukee on Sunday, May 29, 2022. - RNC Convention - Photo by Mike De Sisti / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Milwaukee downtown skyline along Lake Michigan is seen with the Milwaukee Art Museum, the US Bank building, and the Northwest Mutual tower in Milwaukee on Sunday, May 29, 2022. - RNC Convention - Photo by Mike De Sisti / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

We all know the story of the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, the event forced into a virtual show because of the pandemic.

Well, it looks like Milwaukee is going to get a second chance on the big political stage.

On Friday, a GOP site selection picked the city to host the 2024 Republican National Convention.

It's not a done deal for Milwaukee until the full Republican National Committee signs off on the selection in early August.

But it's a very big step forward as Milwaukee gained the nod over the other finalist, Nashville.

Nashville's bid stalled when political leaders couldn't get a draft agreement to host the event through the city's Metro Council. But a leading proponent of the Nashville getting the convention said a bill on the deal could be refiled to the Metro Council by Aug. 2, according to the Nashville Tennessean.

Milwaukee leaders, though, insist they're ready to host the Republicans.

VISIT Milwaukee president and chief executive Peggy Williams-Smith said: "Our job is to create an economic impact for the city. This will bring attendees from around the country and give us the economic boost we need."

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Democratic Senate debate

Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry enters the stage during the Democratic U.S. Senate debate at Marquette University's Varsity Theatre in Milwaukee on Sunday, July 17, 2022. It was the first televised debate of Wisconsin's campaign season before the Aug. 9 primary.
Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry enters the stage during the Democratic U.S. Senate debate at Marquette University's Varsity Theatre in Milwaukee on Sunday, July 17, 2022. It was the first televised debate of Wisconsin's campaign season before the Aug. 9 primary.

One hour, five candidates, and some problems with the microphones.

No wonder Sunday night's Democratic U.S. Senate candidate debate probably didn't move the needle in the race.

Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry entered the event running 1-2 in the polls and made no major gaffes.

State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson had a brief tussle and nonprofit executive Steven Olikara tried to make the most of his appearance with the main runners.

Here are seven takeaways from the event.

There was some other news in the Senate race.

Barnes picked up the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont.

Lasry has now loaned his campaign a little more than $12 million while Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson received around $7 million in donations during the second quarter.

Daniel Bice has a piece on Nelson who has come under criticism for not doing more to overturn the state's 1849 abortion ban.

Chantia Lewis pleads guilty

Alison Dirr reports on Milwaukee Ald. Chantia Lewis, who was removed from office Monday after her conviction in Milwaukee County court on two felonies related to her conduct in office.

Dirr writes that Lewis pleaded guilty to a count of misconduct in public office and no contest to a count of intentionally accepting an illegal campaign finance disbursement.

You can find details of the case here.

The special election to fill the seat will be held in the spring of 2023.

Isaac Yu rounds up other former Common Council members who faced criminal charges.

Republican governor race

The next big political event on the calendar is Sunday night's Republican governor race debate. WTMJ-TV will televise the hour-long clash that begins at 6 p.m. at Marquette University's Varsity Theatre.

There has been quite a bit of news in the race, and a lot of it surrounds businessman Tim Michels.

The Michels campaign said a mailer promoting a nonexistent NRA endorsement was an "'error."

Michels criticized the Foxconn deal even though his family's construction firm made millions on the project.

Meanwhile, financial filings showed Michels has poured nearly $8 million into the race. Meanwhile Republican Rebecca Kleefisch has raised $3.6 million in the first six months of the year, while Democratic Gov. Tony Evers pulled in $10.1 million.

Around the horn

Ron Johnson opposes U.S. attorney nominee Sopen Shah in Madison over deleted tweets.

Secretary of State Doug La Follette's fundraising falls well below leading Republican challenger Amy Loudenbeck.

Wisconsin voters care about clean water. Why aren't lawmakers paying closer attention?

Lawrence Andrea catches up with Bryan Steil in Beloit.

And Steil voted with House Democrats Tuesday to codify same-sex marriage.

Tweet of the week

David Darmofal, associate professor of political science at the University of South Carolina, weighing in on Democratic Senate debate: "Overall, I think there's a lot of impressive candidates in this Wisconsin Senate debate. More so than you usually see in a primary Senate debate."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee likely host of 2024 RNC; Chantia Lewis pleads guilty