Milwaukee Seen As RNC Favorite
Former Governor Scott Walker leading tour of city today. Taxpayers paying for security.
![Milwaukee Police Department vehicles escort a 2024 RNC Milwaukee bus through Downtown. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.](https://urbanmilwaukee.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_2348-1024x768.jpeg)
Milwaukee Police Department vehicles escort a 2024 RNC Milwaukee bus through Downtown. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
Republican National Committee delegates are apparently having a good time in Milwaukee.
“The verdict is already in, we’re told by someone familiar with the ongoing conversations: They love this town and it’s now the ‘frontrunner,'” says a report from Politico.
Milwaukee’s effort to plan for the 2020 Democratic National Convention is apparently a real draw, as is money. Politico reports, via an unnamed “person involved,” that Milwaukee has privately raised $30 million for the RNC. That’s up from “$10 to $20 million” that VISIT Milwaukee CEO Peggy Williams-Smith said was previously raised. It’s expected at least $65 million will be needed.
We’ve previously reported that part of Milwaukee’s pitch for any major event would be its security preparedness, and apparently RNC members are liking what they’re hearing. “One of the biggest appeals of Milwaukee, we’re told, is that it’s almost ‘turn-key,'” reports Politico. Despite the 2020 event not drawing tens of thousands of visitors, the city followed through on its security planning for what the federal government labels a “National Special Security Event.” A federal grant of approximately $50 million covers the security cost of both major political conventions.
Former Governor Scott Walker is said to be leading the group today. Walker, who lived in the city briefly after his stint as governor, said on the campaign trail that people do not want to see Wisconsin “become another Milwaukee.” Now he wants all of the Republicans from across the country to come to Milwaukee.
While the group’s itinerary has been kept secret, it’s hard to miss the group when it’s on the move. At about 5:15 p.m. Wednesday evening five Milwaukee Police Department vehicles, lights flashing, escorted a coach bus with an RNC Milwaukee 2024 logo north on Water Street through Downtown.
Who’s paying for that? Taxpayers.
Similar to the DNC, the RNC is estimated to bring approximately 45,000 visitors and a $200 million economic impact to the city.
Unmentioned in Politico’s report is the new weapon Milwaukee has to offer: an expanded convention center. The $420 million Wisconsin Center expansion is scheduled to be completed by early 2023. But beyond renderings and foundation work, there isn’t much to show off yet. Fiserv Forum, referred to as an “expansive arena,” and Summerfest, did make the cut.
Republican Party officials are planning to tap former RNC chair and ex-White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, a Wisconsinite, as chair of the host committee if Milwaukee is selected,” says the report. That would lend an extra layer of intrigue if Priebus’ former boss Donald Trump is one of the candidates vying for the nomination.
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More about the 2024 RNC
- Council members seeking information on fatal shooting during RNC, details on convention-related arrests, economic impact - Milwaukee Common Council - Jul 23rd, 2024
- Photo Gallery: Scenes from the RNC - Urban Milwaukee - Jul 19th, 2024
- Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock and Donald Trump, Final Day of RNC Veered All Over - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 19th, 2024
- Trump to Wisconsin – ‘I Am Trying To Buy Your Vote’ - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 18th, 2024
- ‘Everyday American’ Diane Hendricks Touts Trump, Her Life Story in RNC Speech - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 18th, 2024
- Bars and Restaurants See Dramatically Mixed Results For RNC Traffic - Sophie Bolich - Jul 18th, 2024
- Young Republicans Say They’re Ready To Lead Wisconsin GOP - Rich Kremer - Jul 18th, 2024
- RNC Preview – Day 4, Thursday July 18 - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 18th, 2024
- JD Vance Plays Up Working Class Roots, Populist Politics in RNC Speech - Graham Kilmer - Jul 17th, 2024
- RNC Host Says Visitors, Locals Need To Spread Across Downtown - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 17th, 2024
Read more about 2024 RNC here
Republicans hate milwaukee, they use it and it’s majority minority population to Rev up their white supremacist base.
You’d think they would choose waukesha instead.