'Wisconsin is a battleground state, Milwaukee is a fabulous city': City finds itself in a strategic sweet spot to host 2024 RNC
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Wisconsin politicians and business leaders from both sides of the aisle applauded a move by the GOP to bring its national nominating convention to Milwaukee in 2024.
It's not a done deal, but a GOP site selection panel on Friday picked Milwaukee as the host city for the 2024 Republican National Convention. The full Republican National Committee must approve the choice during its summer meeting in Chicago, Aug. 2-5. The final decision is between Milwaukee and Nashville.
Often overshadowed by Chicago, Milwaukee has a chance to be on a national stage, proving the city can host large scale events. Supporters believe this will continue to generate millions in economic activity for years to come.
The Republican National Convention would be a second chance for Milwaukee, the city largely lost out on the Democratic party's convention in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Today’s news is great for our region, especially as workers and businesses continue to recover from the devastating economic impacts of the pandemic," said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. "We are ready to show the world what Milwaukee has to offer.”
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There are three potential blocks of dates for the event in July and August of 2024. A final decision on the convention dates is expected to be made by the end of this year.
Milwaukee's bid has been spearheaded by VISIT Milwaukee president and chief executive Peggy Williams-Smith.
"Milwaukee can 100 percent host this decision," Williams-Smith said Friday afternoon after learning about the GOP's decision. "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."
The Republican host committee plans on raising $65 million for the 2024 event, which is expected to attract 50,000 visitors and provide a $200 million economic boost.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and others celebrated the news Friday at a press conference at City Hall, where he called the announcement “another step forward in our effort to bring a major political convention to the city of Milwaukee.”
“I want Milwaukee to hold a prominent position as a convention city,” Johnson said. “This is about future conventions and future business, trade shows, major membership organizations, sports and entertainment activities happening right here in the city of Milwaukee.”
Johnson wants to see the cameras of the world trained on Milwaukee, he said, even if he disagrees with the platform of the Republican Party.
Even though this isn't a completely done deal, Paul Farrow, the Waukesha County executive who is chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, told the Journal Sentinel that officials did not foresee any other challenges standing in the way of Milwaukee being officially selected as the site for the 2024 convention.
“I think we have put our best foot forward,” he said.
Members of the site selection committee were impressed, Farrow said, with the bipartisanship they found in Milwaukee between Republicans and the Democrats who lead the city and county — Johnson and Crowley.
Drawing two massive political conventions two presidential elections in a row shows the city has stepped up its game, he said.
“We are seeing a change where people realize that it’s not just that quiet city,” Farrow said. “It is a great city by a Great Lake.”
Gerard Randall, a Republican Party of Wisconsin vice-chairman and secretary of the host committee, said the RNC allows the city to reimagine the hospitality industry for the state.
“I look forward to having so many people enjoy the hospitality that Milwaukee has to offer in 2024 and beyond,” he said. “This is truly one of the most incredible announcements that I’ve been able to make in my lifetime, and I’m just so proud of what this city has come together to do, to make us a showcase for the rest of the world.”
Main venues for a Milwaukee convention would include Fiserv Forum and the Wisconsin Center, which is undergoing an expansion that is expected to be finished in time for the event.
Fiserv Forum President Peter Feigin said the RNC will significantly elevate Fiserv Forum's profile as a world-class major-event venue. Fiserv Forum was on the national stage in July 2021 when the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA championship.
"In addition to creating a substantial economic impact for Milwaukee, the convention will further demonstrate that our city and arena can successfully host enormous events en route to attracting other prominent events in the future," Feigin said.
Swing-state status secures site
Wisconsin's swing-state status makes it an attractive location. Former President Donald Trump lost by only 21,000 votes in 2020 and coming to Milwaukee to nominate the ticket in 2024 could bolster Republican support in the state.
Milwaukee Host Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, a White House chief of staff under Trump and the former chairman of the Republican National Committee, said he has always known Milwaukee is the perfect place to host the convention.
“Wisconsin is a battleground state, Milwaukee is a fabulous city, and the people of Wisconsin are the best in America," Priebus said in a statement. "We will have a blast and it will be a great way to start our work together so that the Republican Party and our great country can begin the beautiful process of electing a President of the United States.”
U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, a Republican from Sheboygan County who represents the 6th Congressional District, said the RNC was recognizing Wisconsin's role in deciding presidential races.
"Our state is the battleground state that will decide the Presidency in 2024. I’m glad the @GOP sees #Wisconsin as launching point to win back the White House!" he tweeted.
Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker joined committee members in a tour of the city earlier this year to promote the city to decision-makers. On Friday, Walker said hosting the RNC in 2024 “is a major opportunity to showcase Milwaukee and a huge reminder of how important Wisconsin is to the GOP.”
“Big win!!!” Walker said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Republicans have heavily criticized Democrats for abandoning their plans to hold an in-person national party convention during the summer of 2020 in Milwaukee during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic before vaccines were available.
On Friday, GOP candidate for governor Rebecca Kleefisch said bringing her party's national convention to the state's largest city will take advantage of an opportunity Democrats rejected.
"Democrats abandoned Milwaukee in 2020, and when we get to showcase Wisconsin to the nation in 2024, a Republican governor will be there to greet them," Kleefisch said in a statement. "The GOP was born here, and we’re ready to celebrate our legacy of freedom and put a Republican back in the White House."
Kleefisch is running in a four-way primary for governor. The winner of the Aug. 9 primary election will advance to challenge Democratic incumbent Gov. Tony Evers in the general election.
Not everyone excited about RNC coming to Milwaukee
While some Wisconsin Democrats have praised the idea of Republicans hosting their massive national convention in the state's largest city, one state senator who represents Milwaukee said it was a bad idea to play host.
"Doesn’t seem like a good idea to invite to our community the party that’s having trouble moving past their 'violently overthrowing democracy and celebrating gun violence' phase," Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, said in a tweet, referring to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and the fatal shootings by Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha in 2020.
Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, congratulated Johnson and Crowley on their leadership in attracting economic stimulus to Milwaukee but said the party will work to ensure the Republicans lose Wisconsin again in 2024.
"Time and again, Republican politicians have put their own partisan politics over Milwaukeeans — voting against critical pandemic relief for small businesses, historic investments in infrastructure, and even, through the state legislature, undermining Milwaukee’s power to govern itself and raise critical revenue for public priorities," WIkler said in a statement.
"Moreover, in 2020, Donald Trump and the GOP attempted to disqualify the valid votes of hundreds of thousands of Milwaukeeans."
Corrinne Hess can be reached at chess@gannett.com. Follow her @corrihess
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin leaders welcome Republican National Convention to Milwaukee
