More Wisconsin ties on display at night 3 of DNC, including a Packer-turned-lawmaker

CHICAGO (CBS 58) -- Wednesday's evening program at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) promised to display multiple ties to Wisconsin, but there was also an unexpected face standing among the state's delegation.

Word quickly a spread a former Packer was in their midst. Aaron Rouse is now a Virginia state senator, but Wisconsinites likely remember him best for something that happened nearly 16 years ago.

Rouse holds the record for the longest interception return in Lambeau Field history, a 2008 pick off of hall of famer Peyton Manning that Rouse took 99 yards to the house.

"As a former Packer player and Lambeau Field record holder, I gotta make sure I support those who supported me in my time in Green Bay," Rouse said on the convention floor.

Rouse said some of the lessons he learned from sports, including the 2007 and 2008 seasons he spent in Green Bay, sparked his interest in politics.

"It showed me that no matter where you come from, you all have to work together to make sure that we can move the team forward," Rouse said. "It's about winning, but also, it's about making sure you can value those differences, and my time in Green Bay helped me understand that."

Meanwhile, the Wisconsin delegation was well aware of why their state was being featured on the stage.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson spoke about funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law heading to Milwaukee. The city is getting $36 million to reconstruct a stretch of 6th Street as part of the White House has said is an effort to undo harm done to the Black community when I-43/94 was built through the Bronzeville neighborhood.

Johnson introduced Deanna Branch, whose son was hospitalized with lead poisoning from their Milwaukee home, and Rashawn Spivey, whose company is contracted by the city to replace lead water lines.

"We all know that the race for the White House goes right through Wisconsin," Sinicki said. "And in order for it to go through Wisconsin, and in order for it to go through Wisconsin, we have to win Milwaukee County." State Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) said.

Sinicki said this is her second DNC; the first was the 2000 convention in Los Angeles when Democrats nominated Al Gore. She said when she's knocked on doors in recent weeks, Democrats have been noticeably more energetic since President Joe Biden ended his re-election bid, and the party nominated Vice President Kamala Harris to lead its remade ticket.

"I think, yes, I think he could've won," Sinicki said when she asked if Mr. Biden would've cost Democrats Wisconsin. "It would've been tougher for us to win this one."

Springboard for a higher office? Johnson says no

About three hours before taking the stage on the convention floor, Johnson stood next to the Michael Jordan statue in the United Center atrium. He downplayed his speaking assignment.

"It's not like you're gonna get my Batman, superhero origin story," Johnson said. "It's sort of like a baton relay from another mayor to me to a package that'll be introduced."

Johnson acknowledged people were reminding him the headline speaker from one night earlier, former President Barack Obama, ascended to national fame with his DNC address 20 years earlier.

"I know that some folks have said to me, 'Hey, you know Barack Obama was here in 2004 and look what it did for him,'" Johnson said. "Barack Obama had, like 20 minutes, I've got, like two minutes, so I don't really see it as that."

Johnson has publicly said he'd be interested in running for governor one day. He once again didn't deny interest in the office Wednesday, but he was diplomatic when asked if he planned to launch a campaign in 2026.

"There will be a governor's election in 2030 and in 2034, too," Johnson said. "And I'm a young man, so I've got opportunities."