Milwaukee Would Be Long Shot To Host DNC In 2024 Gov. Evers Says

MILWAUKEE, WI — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers was the night’s lone speaker inside the second-floor conference room at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee for day three of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

It's not the type of convention anyone expected prior to the coronavirus pandemic, which spread across the U.S. this spring and summer. In Wisconsin, the ongoing pandemic is now forcing local school districts across the state to engage in difficult conversations about how best to go back to school in fall.

The all-virtual convention, staffed by between 200 and 300 workers and spread across the U.S. has prompted some observers to ask whether Milwaukee would be in line for a "do-over" next time around, but Gov. Evers said it's a long shot.

Asked if the Democrats should return to Milwaukee in 2024, Evers said: “I would love it. The odds, I’m not sure about that. Milwaukee would have been a great place to host the convention. Even back in July the weather was great. The weather couldn’t be better right now. I’m hopeful, but I know there’s lots of other cities that would love to have this convention.”

The governor arrived at 8:49 p.m. eastern time. He entered the conference room-turned TV studio and took off his face mask.

As he stood behind the lectern, he briefly conferred with the stage manager.

The stage was set with two American flags and two Wisconsin state flags with the now familiar backdrop, a photo of the Milwaukee skyline and the 2020 DNC logo.

Including the pool, there were 21 people in the room.

Evers began speaking at 8:57 p.m. eastern time and was done in 80 seconds. When he finished, there was applause. Evers put on his mask and left the room.

After his appearance, Evers, a long-time school teacher, administrator and state superintendent, was asked if he ever thought he would speak at a convention.

“Hell no. It’s a great honor.”

Evers said he and his wife, Kathy, had watched the first two nights of the convention.

“It was a disappointment for Wisconsin and Milwaukee in particular that the COVID interfered with that. But the Democratic Party has just done a wonderful job making this happen.”

Asked about speaking without a mask, Evers said: “Well, basically this place has been kind of hermetically sealed. We’ve been cleaned a couple of times going in and going out. I wore the mask right up to the stage, took it off and there was no one anywhere near me.”

Asked about Republican events in the state (President Trump Monday in Oshkosh, Eric Trump Tuesday in Milwaukee and Mike Pence Wednesday in Walworth County), Evers said he saw photos of the president’s event and “it looked like some of the crowd cooperated. It didn’t seem that way down in Walworth County. Don’t know what happened here with Eric Trump. Yeah, I think it’s foolish. Anytime you’re with a large group of people in a relatively small space, whether you’re inside or out if you’re not physically distanced enough that’s a problem. That’s why we’re trying our darndest to drive the virus down in the state so we can get to a better place.”

Standing alone on a podium in room 202 of the Wisconsin Center, Evers waxed nostalgic over the convention that is, and the convention that never was.

“This is a beautiful night, it’s a great convention. People have really worked hard to bring it to Milwaukee, and they really shifted gears and have done just an outstanding job. I’ve been pleased to be part of it.”

DNC Pool Reporting Contributed To This Report