Wisconsin’s 95 delegates joined thousands of their counterparts from around the nation at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to cast ceremonial votes to re-nominate Vice President Kamala Harris Tuesday evening.
In contrast with typical national conventions, there were no formal votes cast by delegates at the DNC because the party held a “virtual roll call” vote that made Harris’ nomination official on Aug. 6.
But delegates said that didn’t make being at the convention any less historic, or their virtual roll call votes weeks earlier any less significant.
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As he walked out of the DNC’s “DemPalooza” organizing events at the McCormick Center in Chicago, 18-year-old delegate Landiran Kern, Jr. of Fond du Lac told WPR that casting his ballot for Harris in early August, even in front of a computer screen, “meant the world” to him and will “be a story to tell for ages.” But he said the pre-convention nomination hasn’t dulled his experience in Chicago.
“The significance of being here, even if we did our ballot and we all voted already, is to show that as Democrats, we are all still here,” Kern, Jr. said. “We’re here strong and just to be in the room with these people and these lawmakers and legislators and governors, and to see that they truly care about the issues that matter most to us.”
At-large delegate and first-time voter Ana Wilson of Wauwatosa said regardless of when the formal Harris nomination happened, being at the convention and representing young Wisconsin in Chicago is important to her, “because we’re the next generation, you know?”
Wilson said this year’s DNC “will go down in history” due to President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the contest and Harris’ nomination, which she too supported online. She said she’s noticed a change in excitement within her party, and it’s showing in Chicago.
“We love Kamala Harris, and I can tell everybody else loves Kamala Harris,” said Wilson. “So, I’m very excited. We saw her (Monday) night, which was awesome, and I’m very excited to hear her acceptance speech.”
Ozaukee County Democratic Party Chair Deb Dassow said “as someone that’s been in politics for a while” she was concerned about whether the early nomination would temper Democrats’ energy in Chicago.
“And it’s not,” said Dassow. “People are just skating forward, and they’re energized. They’re excited.”
Wisconsin Education Association Council President and first-time DNC delegate Peggy Wirtz-Olsen said enthusiasm among Wisconsin Democrats hasn’t dropped since Harris’ virtual nomination, and the party’s “momentum” heading into the general election is only building.
“Delegates are energized, thrilled and excited,” said Wirtz-Olsen.
But not all Wisconsinites in Chicago this week were on board with the early vote by the Democratic Party. District level delegate Roman Fritz of Oconomowoc said it should have happened at the convention.
“I think that the way the roll call vote was conducted was wrong,” said Fritz.
Because of that process, and the lack of a call from Harris for an arms embargo of Israel aimed at ending the war in Gaza, Fritz said he voted “present” during the virtual roll call on Aug. 6. His vote is why the Wisconsin delegation’s official tally was 94-1 rather than unanimous.
Still, Fritz said he will vote for Harris in November and described his first Democratic Convention as “pretty wild, because it’s totally out of my depth.”
“I just kept walking past (Gov.) Tony Evers, and I kept walking past (Milwaukee Mayor) Cavalier Johnson and all these people,” Fritz said. “And it was just so surreal … I just walked by (California Gov.) Gavin Newsom, and we looked at each other like it’s just totally normal.”
Despite the symbolic nature of the roll call vote Tuesday, the process was raucous compared to the last time Democrats gathered for an in-person DNC in 2016. Delegation by delegation, Democrats hyped up their home states as they cast ceremonial votes to recommit their support to Harris.
Democratic National Committee Secretary Jason Rae, who hails from Wisconsin, called for votes from each state’s delegation in alphabetical order. When it came time for Wisconsin’s votes to be counted, House of Pain’s “Jump Around” played as Evers touted the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks.
“I’m here because I’m jazzed as hell to announce that Wisconsin cast one vote present and 94 votes for, for for, where are we at?” said Evers after losing his place in his script.
As Evers fumbled with his words, Wisconsin’s delegation began chanting “Tony, Tony, Tony!”
“Ninety-four votes for former Wisconsinite, vice president and our next president of the United States of America, Kamala Harris,” Evers eventually said to cheers.
After all states were finished, Harris and Walz appeared on the United Center’s video screen in Chicago, broadcasting live from a packed Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, where they were campaigning Tuesday night.
Harris is scheduled to address the DNC crowd in-person Thursday night.
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