As DNC kicks off in Chicago, campaign spotlight remains on Wisconsin
CHICAGO (CBS 58) -- The main event for the Democratic National Convention will certainly be in Chicago, but the party's main players will be spending part of the convention in Wisconsin.
Campaign officials for Vice President Kamala Harris confirmed she and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will watch part of the convention's second night from Milwaukee Tuesday.
Harris and Walz are scheduled to hold a rally at Fiserv Forum, and the campaign said Sunday the Democratic ticket will watch some of Tuesday's evening program will attendees in Milwaukee while former President Barack Obama headlines that night's speeches in Chicago.
"A lot of the goal this week is to introduce these folks to the American public, and make clear that these are people whose whole lives have been spent fighting for regular folks," Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler said in an interview at the state delegation's Chicago hotel. "And who will keep delivering for regular folks once they're in the White House."
Delegates will get to business Monday morning at McCormick Place with the first in a series of caucus meetings and breakout sessions aimed a wide swath of voters, with topics ranging from labor to climate change to rural issues.
Before that, however, delegates gathered Sunday for a DNC welcome party at Navy Pier. While some delegates enjoyed live music in a beer garden, a line of Chicago police stood between them and about 50 pro-Palestinian protesters who tried to shout over the band.
A march with an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 people is set for Monday near the security perimeter around United Center. Wikler said he wasn't concerned President Joe Biden's response to Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza will damage Democrats' ability to get young voters to cast ballots for Harris.
"I think this is an energized electorate," Wikler said. "And when that happens, people are gonna bring all their concerns and all their hopes and their dreams to the public conversation. That's part of what it means to be in a democracy, and I'm proud to be part of it."
To take Wisconsin this fall, a key part of a winning formula for Democrats includes earning the support of suburban voters. Deb Dassow, chair of the Ozaukee County Democrats, said supporters there are energized by Harris' visit coming during the DNC.
"People from my county party are really excited to be part of that event at Fiserv Forum," she said. "I get a lot of phone calls -- 'How can I get in? How can I get a better seat? Where can I park?' -- So, I think they're keeping the presssure on Wisconsin."
After holding their national convention in Milwaukee last month, Republicans are also putting lots of effort into Wisconsin.
The GOP's nominee for vice president, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance shadowed Harris and Walz earlier this month in Eau Claire. He's also coming back to Wisconsin on Tuesday. Officials with former President Donald Trump's campaign said Vance will hold a press conference in Kenosha on the subject of "crime and safety."
In a state where four of the last six presidential elections have been decided by one percentage point or less, convincing each support to actually vote could once again make all the difference in one of the nation's most closely contested states.
"We'll have kind of a split screen. We'll have the whole country's attention focused on the Democratic Party and our nominees, and then, specifically spotlighting Wisconsin," Wikler said. "The state that tipped presidential elections over and over."