Republican leaders expect one of the highest turnouts ever at the state GOP Convention, due to the historic recalls, November’s presidential election, and a vacant U.S. Senate seat in Wisconsin (as a result of the retiring Herb Kohl, Democrat).
Party Chair Brad Courtney says getting out the vote for the recall general election is their main emphasis. “Our main focus is June 5th … our governor has been recalled and it’s all hands on deck. So we’re gonna focus toward getting him reelected.”
Courtney says this will be Governor Scott Walker’s convention. Walker will address the crowd on Saturday morning in Green Bay. Congressman Paul Ryan will be the keynote speaker that evening. The lieutenant governor and four state senators being recalled will also get attention at the event.
Courtney says Republicans are fired up. “Our message will be to our activists. We have to work very hard these last 25 days … this is the most critical election of their lifetime; they have to get out there and go support the governor.”
Courtney says delegates will hear from all five congressmen and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson. They’ll also vote to endorse a candidate in the U.S. Senate race — they’ll choose from Tommy Thompson, Eric Hovde, Mark Neumann, and Jeff Fitzgerald.
Courtney explains Republicans have a tremendous infrastructure in place, with 23 victory centers around the state. He says they already made over 2 million voter contacts. They’ll also discuss the presidential election at the event; it will be a priority after June 5th.
The Democratic state party convention is June 8th and 9th in Appleton.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:50