6 Takeaways from the 2024 Democratic Party of Wisconsin State Convention in Milwaukee
From palpable down-ballot energy to pro-Palestine protests to a memorable Tony Evers speech to the Milwaukee of it all, here's what happened on June 8 and 9 at Potawatomi Casino Hotel.
The Recombobulation Area is a thirteen-time Milwaukee Press Club award-winning weekly opinion column and online publication founded by longtime Milwaukee journalist Dan Shafer. Learn more about it here.
The 2024 Democratic Party of Wisconsin State Convention was held in Milwaukee this year. It’s a big year for political conventions in Milwaukee, you may have heard.
The event was held at Potawatomi Casino Hotel from June 8 to 9. The majority of the event was held on Saturday evening, with more than 20 speakers for the convention program. The Sunday portion of the event also featured several speakers, but the second day was less eventful, with the highlight of the event being a series of votes on resolutions to be added to the party platform. It was a well-attended event, with more than an estimated 1,200 people at the convention.
I was there for the majority of the convention. Here are my takeaways.
1. Democrats embrace Wisconsin’s center-of-everything swing state status
The road to the presidency goes through Wisconsin. As does the road to maintaining the Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate. As does the road to a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives.
Wisconsin Democrats know how important this state is on so many levels in the 2024 election.
Many of the speakers throughout the event talked about the central role Wisconsin has in so many of the battles tied to this election. Congressman Mark Pocan talked about how flipping congressional seats like the 1st and 3rd districts could go a long way toward flipping the House. Mayor Cavalier Johnson said, “Every path to victory runs through Wisconsin.” Keynote speaker J.B. Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, said Wisconsin is “maybe the most important state in the country for us to win.”
“This year, Wisconsin voters will decide the fate of American democracy,” said Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, during his convention speech. “And because Wisconsin is once again the tipping point state, through your work, your dedication, the hours you spend knocking on doors, the heart-to-heart conversations you have with friends and family—you have a superpower. Your time for the next 150 days will shape the rest of your life. The rest of all our lives.”
“No pressure,” he added.
This focus on just how central Wisconsin is to so many of the battles within this election really stood out. With it comes a bit of unease, a bit of tension, almost certainly some exhaustion. Maybe Wisconsin could use a break from every election being the Most Important Election of Our Lives.
But that’s not happening anytime soon, so why not embrace it? Wisconsin is the tipping point state. Whichever presidential candidate wins Wisconsin will probably win the White House. Democrats probably can’t hold the Senate unless Tammy Baldwin wins re-election. Flipping a seat like the one currently held by Congressman Derrick Van Orden would likely mean that Democrats win the House. Wisconsin is right at the center of all of this.
Wikler and state Democrats clearly have a distinct understanding not only of the state’s tipping point nature, but of the stakes of what that reality means on so many issues. That connection is important. Because it is that tension at the heart of this election cycle in Wisconsin that can break through to power Democratic victories, and lead to meaningful change on issues ranging from health care to reproductive freedom to gun violence prevention to environmental protection to union organizing to economic kitchen-table issues to the very foundation of our democracy.
“This year, Wisconsin isn’t just the tipping point — we’re at a turning point,” said Wikler. Whether that turning point is a goal that can be realized will be determined between now and Nov. 5.
But hey, no pressure.
2. There’s a whole lot of energy for down-ballot races under new maps
Over the course of a convention event like this, it’s inevitable that you’ll hear a few points repeated. At this convention, it was not uncommon for a speaker to talk about how President Biden is “getting things done.” The “promises made, promises kept” of it all. A press conference before the convention featured staffers holding signs that said “Stop MAGA Extremism.” Criticism of Trump and his 34 felony convictions were frequent. The theme of the convention was “Fighting for our Freedoms” and we did indeed hear that, many times.
But sometimes when hearing those kinds of lines over and over, the enthusiasm dies down a bit. But there was one issue that seemed to invite a significant response whenever it was mentioned — new maps, and state legislative elections.
Every mention of new maps and state legislative races are met with near-standing ovation level applause at the convention. There is clearly a whole lot of energy and enthusiasm for finally being able to compete for the majority in the state legislature after more than a decade of some of the most gerrymandered maps of any state in the nation. The Gerrymander was holding back this energy, and now it’s being set free.
State Rep. Deb Andraca of Whitefish Bay was among the convention speakers, talking about being one of just three Democrats to flip a seat under old maps. Now, 97 of 99 seats are being contested. On the “fight for fifty” Democratic Assembly seats, she said, “Let’s flippin’ do this.”
Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein of Middleton also spoke, and talked about having a Democratic candidate running for every single seat on the ballot this year, keyed on some of the candidates in swing races — Jodi Habush Sinykin (SD8), Sarah Keyeski (SD14), Jamie Wall (SD30) and Kristin Alfheim (SD18) — and outlined a list of policy priorities including the repeal of Act 10, which was certainly a crowd-pleaser.
With “fair maps” finally in play, she said, “We are ready to compete and we are ready to win everywhere.”
Wikler also jabbed at Wisconsin Republicans, for running fewer candidates than Democrats in the State Assembly.
“I guess they don’t think they can compete everywhere, and I guess they’re right,” he said, adding that this year, “We’re going to explode the lie that Democrats only live in Madison or Milwaukee.”
Gov. Tony Evers also talked about fair maps several times, crediting those in the audience for the ability to get to a place where The Gerrymander was struck down by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and Evers signed new maps into law.
“That happened because of you,” he said. “You have spent a decade fighting for fair maps and you are the reason I was able to deliver on that promise.”
Having these state legislative elections under new maps is perhaps the element that truly sets this election apart in Wisconsin. We’re used to close presidential elections. Four of the last six have been decided by less than 1%. But this factor is a new one, and the energy for the bottom of the ticket among Democrats in Wisconsin is palpable.
People have waited so long for this to be a reality, and now it’s finally happening. There’s a certain pent-up energy being unleashed with these new maps. Democrats are clearly fired up for this moment, and look ready to seize the opportunity in front of them.
3. Tony Evers’ had a heckuva speech, folks
Within the first minute of Tony Evers’ convention speech, there was a…
“How the heck are ya?”
“Holy mackerel!”
“You’re damn right we’re fixing the damn roads.”
That was quickly followed by a “Democrats are getting shit done and delivering for Wisconsin.”
This was really Peak Evers-ing in this speech, and he was clearly enjoying himself. Even a burn on Trump had an especially Evers-ey spin on it, saying Republicans are going to nominate the guy who has “more felonies than Baskin Robbins has flavors.”
Evers has been an especially popular governor, and in this setting, it’s easy to see why. He’s not the most sparkling of orators, but he is engaging and funny, can play to the audience, and knows when to deliver an earnest, heartfelt line. His speech was a standout.
4. Pro-Palestine protests and Baldwin’s speech interrupted
There was a pro-Palestine protest held across the street from Potawatomi Casino Hotel, and it was directed at the Democratic Party and at Joe Biden and his administration's policies on Israel and the conflict in Gaza.
There was evidently a larger demonstration, which I missed, but there was a group of several people protesting and waving flags, several of whom were with the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL). Many people in vehicles driving by honked horns in support.
One protester told me that while she would not be voting for Republicans who are “just as reprehensible,” that “Democrats are not doing enough to stand up for Palestine.” She and the rest of the protestors would not be voting for President Biden. She also said she would “definitely” not be voting for Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
And it was during Baldwin’s speech that the pro-Palestine contingent made their voices heard inside the convention hall. Very early in the senator’s speech, protestors shouted loudly about Baldwin and Democrats’ policies toward Palestine. Quickly, chants from the majority of the convention hall of “Tammy! Tammy! Tammy!” drowned out the protestors, who were then removed by security. This happened a few more times early in the senator’s speech. Instead of stopping, Baldwin kept on delivering the speech as prepared.
Here’s my video of the first protestor being removed, and of another protester being removed several minutes later.
While this was a genuinely startling moment, the fact that this only happened during a single speech with a small group of individuals does not to me suggest that this issue or this instance derailed the convention, or even the remainder of the speeches from the evening. With the “big tent” party that Democrats have come to be, there’s bound to be an issue that animates a certain constituency in opposition to the party at large. When Barack Obama would visit southeastern Wisconsin during his presidency, he was often met with protests from immigrants rights groups, so this is not entirely out of the ordinary. But with a party like this, not everyone is going to agree on every issue, and this is clearly one where the disagreement boiled over.
But after the protests and Baldwin’s speech, Wikler and others with WisDems pointed to the resolutions that would be debated by delegates the following morning. Most of the party’s platform had been approved and opposition was not outwardly expressed, so that meant most of the debate was going to be about Israel and Gaza. The amount of time granted for debate on all resolutions, however, was capped at one hour.
The first resolution reads as follows (and you can find it online here).
One amendment would have striked the word “genocide” from the langage of the resolution on line 10, but that failed on a voice vote. The amendment as written then passed with a 136-91 vote.
The other resolution that passed was a floor resolution introduced by the Jewish Caucus. The resolution calls for the party to condemn antisemitism. While this passed, an amendment to the resolution also passed, striking a line that reads, “WHEREAS, antisemitic incidents have skyrocketed nearly 400% since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, according to Anti-Defamation League data.” Milwaukee County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman spoke in opposition to the amendment, calling it “outrageous,” but the amendment passed. Once amended, the resolution passed on a voice vote. Here is that resolution in its original form, before the amendment.
Another pre-submitted resolution (24-FA-02) was tabled and sent back to committee. A third (24-FA-03), called for a change in leadership in Israel, but that resolution failed after a dispute over an amendment that would have struck a phrase calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response “as criminal as the Hamas attack.” Three other floor amendments were introduced, but none saw debate, as time expired.
We can all recognize that the conflict in Gaza is going to be a major issue in this year’s elections, and it is going to pose certain difficulties for Democrats. But the protest action in the convention hall was essentially just one isolated incident during a single speech, and debate over resolutions the following day was passionate, to be sure, but also sincere and respectful. Nevertheless, challenges on this issue are bound to continue.
5. Hope from Harrison, Trump attacks from Pritzker
The keynote speakers for the event were Jaime Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, and JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois.
Both delivered terrific speeches, but very different ones. Harrison’s speech focused on hope. This was something he emphasized during a press conference before the convention speeches, too.
“Our party is a party of hope,” he said. “Their party is a part of fear.”
That fear and hope contrast was made clear throughout his speech, including in some powerful personal stories. He also, with that, included a call to action.
“Hope without action is never realized,” he said. “We have some action to take, my friends.”
If Harrison’s speech was one giving a nod to Obama Era hope and change, it was Pritzker who really went in with #resistence-era attacks on Donald Trump. In his pre-speech remarks (which you can watch in full here), he said “(Joe Biden is a president who is) working to make progress. On the other side, you have a guy who’s working to make bail…Because there is no Republican Party anymore. There is Donald Trump, a convicted felon, and his cult of personality.”
Any beltway media bloviating on whether or not Democrats should mention Trump’s recent convictions were not present in Wisconsin this evening.
“Here's something people from the coasts might not understand about Midwest Democrats, we will be Midwest nice to you while we Midwest beat you," he said.
Pritzker did not hesitate in going after Trump and his convictions — not only the recent ones, but also mentioned his being “held liable for rape” — and at one point, called him a “flatulent old man with an orange spray tan who fell asleep at his own trial.”
Pritzker also mentioned the RNC coming to Milwaukee, and said that like all good Midwesterners, “show hospitality and kindness and decency and show absolutely no mercy in calling out their BS.”
You have to wonder if this is going to be what Pritzker’s role in this campaign is going to be, as someone in the “attack dog” role, who takes on Trump as directly as anyone.\
6. Milwaukee makes its presence known
Being that the convention took place in Milwaukee, the city and many of its emerging leaders were featured speakers at the event. Mayor Cavalier Johnson, County Executive David Crowley, County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson and County Board Supervisor and DPW 1st Vice Chair Felecia Martin all delivered speeches during the main event.
Among those speeches, it stood out how each acknowledged the work of Tammy Baldwin. Martin said she had a “spine of steel.” Johnson called her a “fearless, relentless advocate for Wisconsin.” Nicholson drew a contrast between Baldwin and her opponent, Eric Hovde, on abortion rights. Crowley praised Baldwin’s partnerships with the County, saying, “You’re damn right it’s because of partners like Tammy Baldwin” that positive things can get done in the Milwaukee area.
Johnson and Crowley each also talked about how a return to a Trump presidency would be a step backwards.
“Our nation stands at a crossroads,” said Johnson. “We cannot afford to go back to the chaos of the Trump years,” adding that the former president replaced government with “self interest.”
Crowley was pointed in his criticism, too, saying the nation can’t return to the “racism, sexism, misogyny, and homophobia” that we saw under a Trump presidency.
In Wikler’s pre-event comments, he emphasized Milwaukee’s place of importance in the campaign organizing. He ripped Republicans for closing a minority outreach office on Milwaukee’s south side that has since re-opened as an ice cream shop — “which is a huge upgrade, I’ll give them that,” Wikler added — and celebrated that the Wisconsin Democratic Coordinated Campaign is headquartered in Milwaukee for the first time in 20 years.
"This decision underscores our party’s and our president’s commitment to galvanizing the voters essential to our coalition, including suburban women, Black Americans and Latinos,” he said. “This most diverse city in the state of Wisconsin in the largest media market in the state of Wisconsin with so many different communities that call Milwaukee and the Milwaukee area home, we’re showing up for everybody.”
And now, in just over one month, the Republicans will be coming to Milwaukee to host the national party’s convention. It’s abundantly clear that Wisconsin, and Milwaukee in particular, are very much in focus for the 2024 election.
Dan Shafer is a journalist from Milwaukee who writes and publishes The Recombobulation Area. He’s also written for The New York Times, The Daily Beast, Heartland Signal, Belt Magazine, WisPolitics, and Milwaukee Record. He previously worked at Seattle Magazine, Seattle Business Magazine, the Milwaukee Business Journal, Milwaukee Magazine, and BizTimes Milwaukee. He’s won 18 Milwaukee Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards. He’s on Twitter at @DanRShafer.
Subscribe to The Recombobulation newsletter here and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @therecombobulationarea.
Already subscribe? Get a gift subscription for a friend.
Part of a group who might want to subscribe together? Get a group subscription for 30% off!
Follow Dan Shafer on Twitter at @DanRShafer.
I was all in as a delegate from Rock County CD1 to several DPW state conventions. My first vote for Mandela Barnes was in his quest for state party leadership. The politics got to me, and I stopped being active in the local party in 2022, but this newsletter made me a little wistful for nerding out at a convention. Ben Wikler really is a great leader for the state party, and I love listening to Gov Evers.
Those protestors in point 4 aren't Democrats, they're far-end-of-the-horseshoe attention-seeking accelerationist nuts. If they didn't have Gaza they'd just find something else to be mad about; that way they can keep telling the internet they're withholding their votes because they like getting the reality-based community all in a panic. Screw 'em. If you told me they were Russian disinformation plants I'd be more likely to believe that than the idea that they're progressives.