Kamala Harris, Tim Walz hold rousing rally at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Republican VP nominee JD Vance in Kenosha: Recap

Vice President Kamala Harris held a rousing rally before thousands of supporters Tuesday night in Milwaukee , Wisconsin, while the second day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago was taking place.

Harris accepted the party's nomination for president in Milwaukee after the roll call vote of delegates in Wisconsin's neighboring state of Illinois at the DNC. It was the Democratic presidential nominee's third visit to the state since she took over the top of the ticket in late July.

Meanwhile, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance traveled to Kenosha for a press conference focused on crime and public safety.

Their appearances continue to show Wisconsin's importance in the November presidential election .

The Journal Sentinel had live coverage from both the Harris/Walz and Vance events on Tuesday. Below are all the highlights from the political events in Wisconsin today:

Watch Kamala Harris rally at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee

Kamala Harris rally-goers watch the DNC featuring Douglas Emhoff and Michelle Obama in the Deer District

Since the screen just outside Fiserv Forum that was supposed to show a stream of the DNC was malfunctioning, rally goers migrated to screens in the nearby Drink Wisconsinbly bar and the screen outside the Mecca Sports Bar and Grill to watch second gentleman Doug Emhoff speak out of Chicago.

They cheered as Emhoff left the stage and former first lady Michelle Obama was announced as the next speaker.

Gloria Boileau of Milwaukee said Harris brought “electric” energy inside Fiserv Forum. She spoke excitedly about the Harris-Walz ticket.“Knowing that they are the common people that we are and they will be in the White House representing us, that was electric,” Boileau said.

Michael Delahunt and his nephew Stephen Delahunt, both of Oconomowoc, also spoke about the exciting energy at the rally. Stephen called the atmosphere “hype.”

“There was so much cheering and joy,” Michael said.

“People were dancing, singing … my sister taught me a new dance,” Stephen added.

Michael said that, to him, the Republican Party embodies “meanness and negativity” while tonight’s event was “all positivity.”

Jessica McCabe of Glendale said she attended the rally because she “would love to see the first woman president” and wants to be a part of that history for her 4.5 year old daughter.

She said she’s spoken with her daughter about the significance of Harris’ nomination, and her daughter “was sad” she couldn’t attend the rally.

McCabe said she “took lots of video” to share with her daughter and looks forward to doing so tomorrow.

-- Claire Reid

Kamala Harris rallies before raucous crowd at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee

Vice President Kamala Harris rallied more than 15,000 supporters at Fiserv Forum Tuesday, breaking away from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to speak to the raucous crowd in the packed Milwaukee arena that hosted the Republican convention last month.

"Wisconsin, we have 77 days until the election. 77 days. And look, we know this is going to be a tight race until the very end," Harris told the crowd. "We have hard work ahead of us, but we like hard work. Hard work is good work, and with your help this November, we will win."

The event was the biggest rally the campaign has had in Wisconsin to date, and among its largest nationally.

Here are takeaways from her rally .

Kamala Harris speech ends, watch party taking place outside Fiserv Forum

The crowd inside Fiserv Forum headed out moments after Kamala Harris and Tim Walz left the stage about 8:35 p.m. Many were going to the Deer District outside Fiserv Forum.

The lights came on, the room quieted and all that was left were workers, journalists and campaign staff.

-- Alison Dirr

Kamala Harris says 2024 election is about 'two very different visions for our nation'

In her impassioned speech, Kamala Harris highlighted the difference between her own campaign and former President Donald Trump's.

"This is not just about us versus Donald Trump. This is about two very different visions for our nation," she said. "One focused on the future, another focused on the past. And Wisconsin, we fight for the future."

She said she hopes to bring down the cost of groceries for Americans, to take on Big Pharma, take on the high cost of housing and give residents tax cuts.

"That's about help with a car seat, with a crib, with diapers, with baby clothes," she said. "If we care about children, let's help people."

Harris pledged to move the country forward, "just like the Wisconsin state motto."

"Ours is a fight for the future, and it is a fight for freedom, like the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government telling her what to do," she said. "I don't know what's up with these people, by the way, they just seemingly don't trust women. Well, we trust women."

Abortion has been a hot topic for Wisconsin voters , and Harris is currently enjoying an edge over Trump on the topic.

"I promise you, when I am President of the United States, and Congress passes a bill to restore the protections of Roe v Wade, I will proudly sign it into law," she said to raucous cheers.

-- Laura Schulte

Kamala Harris stops speech for a medical emergency inside Fiserv Forum, says helping each other is 'what we're about'

Kamala Harris halted her speech in Milwaukee to ensure a supporter received medical care after people in the crowd alerted her to a situation.

She asked the crowd to part, so that a nurse or a medical team could reach the person in need of help, and asked if the person was OK.

"This is who we are, right? This is what we're about, looking out for each other," she said. "We care about each other. It's about truly understanding what love thy neighbor means. It's about in the face of a perfect stranger, seeing a neighbor, understanding what that love of each other means."

-- Laura Schulte

Kamala Harris takes stage for rally at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee after final delegates were cast at DNC

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz took the stage to cheers at Fiserv Forum, thanking delegates at the Democratic National Convention for the nomination.

"I thank everyone there and here, for believing in what we can do together. We are so honored to be your nominees," she said. "This is a people powered campaign, and together, we will chart a new way forward."

Harris said it was good to be back in Milwaukee, after her last visit to Wisconsin two weeks ago . She highlighted that there are only 77 days until the election.

"Look, we know this is going to be a right race until the end. We have some hard work ahead of us," she said. "We have hard work ahead of us, but we like hard work. Hard work is good."

-- Laura Schulte

Gov. Tony Evers 'jazzed as hell' to cast votes for Kamala Harris but then struggled mightily over his words in roll call

Over in Chicago at the DNC before Kamala Harris took the stage in Milwaukee, Gov. Tony Evers Evers fumbled over his words as he cast Wisconsin's 94 votes for Harris, saying he'd "get there" amid his stumbled speech.

"I'm jazzed as hell...to announce that Wisconsin casts one vote present and 94 votes for former Wisconsinite tonight, Vice President and our next President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris," he said to cheers.

-- Laura Schulte

Tim Walz 'proud' to be with Kamala Harris atop Democratic ticket

Speaking in front of a cheering Milwaukee crowd, Tim Walz said he "couldn't be prouder" to accept the nomination for vice president in Chicago Wednesday night.

He also once again said the Harris-Walz administration would follow the "golden rule: mind your own damn business."

"I don't need you in our exam room. I don't need you telling me which books to read. And you can sure stay the hell our of our bedroom," he said.

"This campaign is simple. We believe in the promise of America. It's that simple. So, as the next President of the United States says every single day, when we fight, we win."

-- Laura Schulte

Tim Walz takes shot at Donald Trump's long-winded speech during the RNC last month at Fiserv Forum

Opening the Milwaukee rally, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz took a shot at former President Donald Trump, whose speech ran over 90 minutes at the Republican National Convention last month .

"It doesn't sound like any of you watched it, but in case you didn't, after promising us a speech that was going to be about unity and promising that he was a changed man, Donald Trump subjected us to 92 minutes of ranting and raving insanity," he said. "Now look, they left here riding high. They were feeling good. This thing was over. Well, trust me, Milwaukee, a hell of a lot can change in four weeks."

He said a campaign based on fear like Trump's is doomed to fail.

"That convention had one purpose to coronate, one man," Walz said. "Ours, by the way, they got a little party going over in Chicago. It's not a celebration of a coronation of one man over there. It's a celebration of all of us over there."

-- Laura Schulte

DNC roll call pauses, VP nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz takes stage for Kamala Harris rally in Milwaukee

The crowd was engaged in the roll call when it suddenly seemed to cut out. Moments later, vice-presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz walked onto the stage.

At one point in his speech, a group of supporters unfurled a handmade sign that read, "choose JOY" while another person held one that said, "Vote for freedom."

-- Alison Dirr

Khris Middleton with daughter at Kamala Harris rally

Milwaukee Bucks three-time All-Star Khris Middleton is taking in Kamala Harris' rally at Fiserv Forum with his young daughter.

Along with Middleton, Bucks president Peter Fegin is at the rally.

Middleton has been with the Bucks since 2013 and holds the record for most three-pointers made in franchise history.

-- Chris Kuhagen

What is the capacity of Fiserv Forum?

There are over 15,000 people at Kamala Harris' rally at Fiserv Forum, vice president nominee Tim Walz said.

Fiserv Forum has a basketball capacity of just over 17,300 and a concert capacity of 18,000. The venue's lower bowl has 10,000 seats.

-- Mary Spicuzza

Kamala Harris rally: Additional sections opening at Fiserv Forum to accomodate huge crowd

Supporters are still entering Fiserv Forum as the DNC roll call in Chicago came onto the jumbotron above the arena floor before 7 p.m.

The arena had been steadily filling over the course of the afternoon and evening, with additional sections being opened to accommodate the crowd.

Some still remained closed off, though.

As the roll call was read, the Fiserv Forum audience watched and cheered along with fellow Democrats in Illinois while their light-up bracelets cycled between red, white and blue.

Unlike the RNC, which was open only to those with credentials, the rally Tuesday was open to the public.

-- Alison Dirr and Mary Spicuzza

At Fiserv Forum, DNC organizer warms up the crowd ahead of Kamala Harris rally

Ahead of the DNC roll call in Chicago, Jaliah Jefferson, the deputy organizing director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, told rally attendees that "the road to the White House" runs through the state.

"I can tell based on the sound in the room that we are going to prove that here tonight," she said to a cheering crowd.

She told attendees to make sure they make noise when the Milwaukee rally is broadcast across the nation, so those watching know Wisconsin stands with Harris.

"Vice President Harris and Governor Walz, they're fighting for a future that strengthens our democracy, protects our reproductive freedom and ensures every person has the chance not just to get by, but to get ahead," Jefferson said. "Every single person sitting and standing in this room has the amazing opportunity to help our country get one step closer to a brighter future. Every single one of you."

She asked those in attendance to sign up to canvass in their communities and increase the support for the Harris-Walz campaign.

— Laura Schulte

Protesters call for ceasefire in Gaza, end of arms to Israel outside Fiserv Forum

Protesters called for a ceasefire in Gaza outside Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum as hundreds of attendees slowly made their way into the arena to watch presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speak.

The crowd of protestors grew from about 60 to more than 90 at the protest, which was organized by the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine, a group of more than 50 organizations in the state.

The coalition organized the protest with the same demands as many of those protesting at the Democratic National Convention Monday, including some from Milwaukee : convince Harris to stop arms shipments to Israel, and do more to end the war in Gaza.

“We want Kamala to come out clearly that she is not just promoting a ceasefire, but that she calls for an end to the genocide” and the shipment of arms to Israel, Othman Atta of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee said to the crowd.   Protesters’ chants of phrases like “Wisconsin Dems, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide” and “Free, free Palestine” were juxtaposed with music like Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go” and Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic,” which blasted on the arena speakers. As an outdoor screen in the Deer District began to play a livestream of DNC speeches from Chicago, the protest continued.

Rachel Ida Buff with Jewish Voices for Peace said she was hesitant to be hopeful about Harris, and that voters "have to push her" to be tougher on Israel. She said the media's focus on pre-election moments like President Joe Biden stepping out of the race and the attempted assassination of Donald Trump have distracted people from Israel's continued attacks on Gaza.

"You have to dig now to find" media coverage, she said.

Munjed Ahmad with American Muslims for Palestine told the crowd that the Free Palestine movement “had a lot of steam” in October and November of 2023. He said demonstrators on college campuses last spring “taught us a lot about what it means an activist.”

“We need to get that energy back. We’re starting to lose our steam,” he said.  He called on demonstrators to “do more” to call for an end of “arms to Israel.”

Hayden Harwood, a member of Party for Socialism and Liberation Milwaukee, was at the protest to remind people they don't just need to choose between two candidates. Harwood was passing out flyers for the presidential campaign of Claudia De la Cruz and Karina Garcia, third-party candidates with the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Harwood said De la Cruz is currently on the ballot in over 20 states, including Wisconsin.

-- Bridget Fogarty and Claire Reid

Kamala Harris rally today

Kamala Harris is expected to take the stage at 8 p.m. inside Fiserv Forum.

She'll then watch the rest of the DNC speeches on the big screen with thousands of supporters in the arena. The featured speakers in prime time are former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff.

— Chris Kuhagen

Kamala Harris rally: Long lines to get into Fiserv Forum continue nearly two hours after doors open

Pro-Palestine prostesters are outside Deer District entrance

A group of about 60 protesters gathered around 5 p.m. at the corner of W. Highland and N. Vel R. Phillips avenues for a planned protest against the war in Gaza.

The Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine organized the protest, calling it “Not Another Bomb” in a post on Instagram. “Wisconsin voters demand Harris & Walz end the genocide immediately,” the post said.

“We’re here today to send a message that Kamala Harris is just as complicit in genocide as Joe Biden,” one person said on the megaphone.

Rally-goers are still waiting outside to go into Fiserv Forum. One of the general admission lines extends to at least King Drive.

— Claire Reid and Bridget Fogarty

Two Wisconsin Black women enthusiastic about Kamala Harris as she makes another stop to Wisconsin

As a Black woman who once was involved in politics in California, Jordan Pitzner said sees herself in Kamala Harris. Pitzner is a resident of the town of Farmington, Jefferson County who came to the rally with her husband.

"(I see) all the things that we've fought for and marched for and bled for that have been, you know, threatened and almost taken away," she said. "She's here to help restore what people have literally died for for a couple of centuries now. So that's why I'm here to see her, witness her live and show my support.

Pitzner said she's glad Harris sees Wisconsin as an important state in this upcoming election.

"The fact that the campaign recognizes that and is showing up here in the midst of the convention speaks volumes," she said.

Milwaukee resident Monica Hubbard came to the Fiserv Forum not just because she agrees with Harris' policies, but because she said the vice president's presidential run is historic.

She also appreciated that Harris decided to make a stop in-person, in Milwaukee weeks after the RNC and while the spotlight is on Chicago.

"I like the fact that she's going to be here, she's taking the time out to work the Midwest while she's here for the DNC."

— Bridget Fogarty

Illinois women travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for Kamala Harris rally, love Tim Walz camo hats

When Judy Lange was asked if she drove up from her home in McHenry, Illinois, for the Harris rally she’s quick with a joke.

“No, we flew on our brooms,” Lange said with a wink and coy smile outside of Fiserv Forum.

Lange was with her sister Beth Cherveny and adult daughter Jennifer Lonchar, who are also from McHenry.

“It’s crazy down there,” Lonchar said of the DNC happening in Chicago. “And you can’t get into the DNC.”

Cherveny was wearing a “Harris, Walz” camouflage hat.

“It’s the first camo thing I’ve ever bought in my 72 years of life,” Cherveny said adding when she saw camouflage gear before she thought of Second Amendment activists but decided to buy this hat because of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz .

“When I saw Tim wearing this and talk about being a hunter, having respect for guns, and what he’s done in his state, I thought ‘I’ll get a camo hat like Tim’s,’” Cherveny said.

Lonchar and the other family members have been big Biden supporters “but I felt like I was always talking people into being on board,” but having Harris at the top of the ticket has injected new enthusiasm.

“I feel like we’re back in ‘O8. I feel like it’s Obama again,” Lonchar said. “I’m just so energized and so excited now for the first time in a really long time.”

— Ricardo Torres

Kamala Harris purses for sale

If you're at a political rally, you have to get the merch.

Kamala Harris handbags and clutches were for sale outside her rally at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

Small group of Trump supporters protest outside Kamala Harris rally

A group of at least six Trump supporters held up signs outside of the rally at the corner of Juneau and Vel Phillips avenues as hundreds of people made their way into the Fiserv Forum. This small group and the rally-goers seemed to ignore each other.

One woman in the group held up a Trump campaign sign, while another held up a homemade sign that said "Czar Kamala, weak on the border." A man in the group brought at least four signs and was alternating holding them up, including one that said: "Kamala voted for higher prices." —

A younger man, who may not have been with this group, was walking around the Fiserv Forum plaza — just outside the fence where the rally-goers were waiting to go inside — waving a large Trump flag.

— Claire Reid

Doors open for Kamala Harris rally

Doors opened at Fiserv Forum for the Kamala Harris around 3:45 p.m.. People waiting in the plaza cheered when the doors opened.

Security opened a third entrance in the center of the Deer District around 4 p.m. with the line moving significantly quicker than the north and south entrances.

Before, the general admission line to get into Fiserv Forum extended down Juneau Avenue from Vel Phillips to King Drive. Then it continued around the block at least to Highland.

— Bridget Fogarty and Claire Reid

Supporters say Kamala Harris brings hope and new energy

Green Bay high school students Ziah Mangan and Sophia Arneson, both 17, were among the at-least-hundreds of people gathered outside Fiserv Forum ahead of tonight's rally.

Although the incoming seniors can’t vote in the election, they said being here is “inspiring.” They purchased Harris/Walz baseball caps from a merch table outside Mader’s restaurant before lining up to get inside Fiserv Forum.

“It’s inspiring to see a woman who’s a minority running for president,” Arneson said.

She said, though she’s seen a female candidate in her lifetime, Hillary Clinton didn’t “inspire as much hope and enthusiasm” as Harris.

Both Arneson and Mangan said they wished they could vote and they’re trying to inspire their classmates who are already 18.

“I think you don’t realize how much it means until you see (a woman) running,” Arneson said.Married couple Gillian Blake and Charley Blake traveled from Madison to attend the rally.“I want to be part of this history,” Gillian said. “I felt like I was so depressed, and then Kamala ran and my hopes were raised so high. I haven’t felt this way since Obama ran.”

Charley said the couple was “nervous” when Biden was running because they didn’t know if he could beat Trump. As a lesbian couple, they worried how a Trump victory could affect them, their daughters, and one of their children who is transgender.

“I feel like I don’t have to leave the country maybe,” Gillian said. She said she’d “really considered” emigrating prior to Harris' nomination.

— Claire Reid

University of Chicago-led survey asks Milwaukee rally-goers at Kamala Harris event their feelings on democracy

How do Americans view the state of their country’s democracy?

That’s the question University of Chicago professor Robert Pape and his two research assistants hope to answer in their survey they passed out to rally goers in the Deer District.

Pape said as soon as he learned about Tuesday’s rally, he made plans to drive from Chicago to Milwaukee to survey. Milwaukee’s Harris Walz rally is the first of many Democratic and Republican rallies the group plans to bring their survey to before November.

The survey can help gauge whether the newfound positivity Democrats have with Kamala Harris running for president is making people feel more comfortable overall with elections, Pape said.

“It’s clear they’re more enthusiastic about voting, but what does that mean overall about our democracy? What does that mean overall about their politics?” he said.

— Bridget Fogarty

Madison Marine stands with Kamala Harris, Tim Walz

Marine Michael Skaer of Madison, who was in the military for roughly 30 years, was excited for the rally in Milwaukee.

He was wearing a Marines shirt and hat.

Skaer looked out to the crowd waiting to get inside Fiserv Forum and said “I’m guessing they’re going to fill this place tonight.”

“The enthusiasm since Joe Biden decided to step aside… it’s just turned 180 degrees around,” Skaer said. “I’m sure it was hard for him, very hard. Looking at his legacy and his long career, but after that debate performance it was just painfully obvious he just wasn’t up to the job for another four years.”

Skaer said he was an active duty Marine in 1978 to 1983 and joined the National Guard from 1983 to 2009, and did one tour in Iraq in 2006.

Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance has criticized Harris’ running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, accusing him of “stolen valor” for getting out of the military before his unit was deployed to Iraq.

“I don’t buy it all,” Skaer said of Vance’s claims. “He made it very clear to his fellow members that he was going to run for Congress… he already had his 20+ years of service in, so it wasn’t like he was planning on staying in the service for a few years and found out the unit was going to Iraq and jumped out. I don’t buy it.”

Skaer said Republicans do better with veterans and military personnel.

“I’ve been different my whole military career,” Skaer said. “I made it through 30 years... I’ve always been different. I don’t own any handguns or weapons at all, which a lot of my fellow members thought I was insane.”

Skaer is a Harris supporter “100%.”

“Trump, we went through four years of him and the thought of him for another four years is just really, really scary,” Skaer said.

— Ricardo Torres

Wisconsin continues to be in political spotlight as Kamala Harris comes to Milwaukee during DNC

Dan Weiner from Appleton made the drive to Milwaukee to see Kamala Harris for her rally tonight at Fiserv Forum.

“It’s such a unique election year,” Weiner said. “I want to be a part of history. I think it’s time and I think it would be a neat thing for America to elect a female (for president).”

Weiner said he “leans left” and for him “human decency” in a candidate is important.

“As president, you have to be professional, and I don’t see that on the other side,” Weiner said adding having this rally during the DNC “shows how important Wisconsin is going to be.”

“A lot of pundits are saying the road to the White House is going to go through Wisconsin,” Weiner said. “I agree with it. It’s important and it’s kind of cool for Wisconsin to be that vital for Wisconsinites no matter what side you’re on.”

— Ricardo Torres

Seeing Kamala Harris at Milwaukee rally is like being able to attend the DNC

Jennifer Buda from Milwaukee came to the Kamala Harris rally with her daughter “just to experience it.

“Never been to a campaign thing before,” Buda said. “I’m just going to absorb it all in.”

Buda said she is a Democrat and is hoping to learn more about Harris.

“I’m an apolitical person,” Buda said adding she will likely vote for Harris.

Buda said attending the rally with her daughter makes the experience sweeter.

“It’s nice that we can be here together and have Milwaukee be recognized again,” Buda said. “For us, it’s something cool to do.”

When the Republican National Convention was in Milwaukee she avoided the area but having this event during the Democratic National Convention is “very exciting.”

“People who, obviously, would never have gone to the DNC are able to come here and experience seeing her and Mr. Walz,” Buda said.

— Ricardo Torres

Kamala Harris rally: Line outside Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee

Here's a look at the line to get into the Kamala Harris rally about 90 minutes before the doors open.

— Ricardo Torres

Kamala Harris tickets for Milwaukee rally

The Kamala Harris rally in Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum is free and open to the public but you'll need a ticket to get in.

Tickets are only available online via the Democratic Party of Wisconsin . You'll be notified if you've been selected.

Registration does not guarantee a ticket.

After Harris' speech, the Democratic nominee and her running mate Tim Walz will host a DNC watch party at Fiserv Forum. The featured speakers on Tuesday at the DNC are former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.

— Chris Kuhagen

Kamala Harris' rally will feature Milwaukee Bucks

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will hold a rally in the arena that the Milwaukee Bucks call home.

And a couple of representatives from the Bucks will reportedly be in attendance to welcome them.

Bucks all-star forward Khris Middleton and team president Peter Feigin are set to join Harris and Walz at the rally, The Hill reported.

Harris is set to speak at 7 p.m.

— Chris Kuhagen

JD Vance wraps up speech, visits Tenuta's Deli in Kenosha

After addressing the crowd and answering questions from local and national reporters, Vance wrapped up his Kenosha visit and made a surprise stop at Tenuta's Deli. He ordered an Italian beef sandwich with provolone cheese.

Questions touched at the rally were the importance of Wisconsin in the November election, the value of law enforcement endorsements, gun restrictions, labor union support, debate preparation and the programming of the Democratic National Convention 70 miles south in Chicago.

— Jessie Opoien

JD Vance calls Chicago, site of Democratic National Convention, a 'combat zone'

When Vance was asked for his initial reactions to the DNC’s programming, several members of the crowd booed.

“I agree with them. That was my response to it … ‘boo,’” Vance said.

The Ohio senator blamed Democrats for Chicago’s high murder rate and reiterated an attack on Walz’s 2005 retirement from the military before his battalion's deployment to Iraq.

“My little theory about why they decided to have the convention in Chicago is … Tim Walz has been going around saying that he served in war, and maybe they did it in Chicago so they could actually, accurately say that he went, he visited a combat zone,” Vance said.

— Jessie Opoien

JD Vance references upbringing in support for police

Vance accused Democrats of proposing policies that would “take away every child's right to public safety” while referencing his own upbringing with a mother addicted to drugs.

“I remember, actually, I think I was probably 11 or 12 years old, and my mom struggled with addiction, and she was having a particularly tough episode, and I called the local police in Middletown, Ohio," Vance said. "And I remember they showed up and they took care of my mom, and they made a little kid who was terrified of what was going on in his home. They made that little kid feel safe.

"And I think about what situation would I have been in, and what situation our country would be in, if we take away every child's right to public safety. And that's, unfortunately, what the Democratic leadership is proposing in this country.”

Both Vance and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde referenced Harris’ previous comments saying the “defund the police” movement was rightly questioning budget priorities in a 2020 radio interview as the country saw a national movement for police reform. Harris later denounced such calls.

— Jessie Opoien

JD Vance says he 'basically lives in Wisconsin now'

JD Vance opened his remarks in Kenosha talking about childhood safety and the importance of Wisconsin to the election.“I basically live in Wisconsin now," Vance said. "You’ll be seeing a lot of me over the next few months.

After someone in the crowd yelled, “Go Packers!” Vance responded, “I’d have see about that, sir.”

— Rachel Hale

Rep. Bryan Steil attacks Tim Walz’s handling of Black Lives Matter protests in Minneapolis

U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil bashed Walz’s handling of Black Lives Matter protests during 2020 and reflected on Kenosha’s unrest during the same period. Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot and injured by a police officer in Kenosha that August.“We can look to our neighboring state in Minnesota, and just like we had here, you have a governor that failed to provide the resources that were needed to keep his community safe,” Steil said.

Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Walz and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, for their responses to civil unrest in 2020, and has focused in particular on the use of the National Guard.

Governors can call the National Guard into action during local or statewide emergencies.

On Aug. 24, 2020, Evers activated the Guard, less than 24 hours after Blake was shot. The Trump administration talked to Evers on Aug. 25, 2020, according to previous Journal Sentinel reporting .

Walz mobilized the Guard on May 28, 2020, after civil unrest turned violent and a police station was burned following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. At the time, Trump praised Walz's handling of the situation, the Associated Press reported .

In a USA TODAY fact check of similar claims about Walz's actions during the Minneapolis protests, Michelle Phelps , a University of Minnesota sociology professor and the author of a book about policing in Minneapolis that examines the protests, said:

“To say that he let Minnesota or Minneapolis burn is just a wild misconstruing of the facts," Phelps said. “It was a response to a really unusual set of circumstances, and I think they responded as fast as was reasonably possible, given the scale of the operation."

More: GOP critics say Tim Walz 'let Minnesota burn' in 2020 protests. Here's what happened

— Rachel Hale and Mary Spicuzza

Eric Hovde seeks to tie Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s record to Kamala Harris and Tim Walz

Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde railed against Harris’ record on crime and sought to tie her to Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin in his opening remarks, bashing Harris’ time as a district attorney and California attorney general. He said he would give her “an F” on “being border czar” and said Baldwin is no better, bringing up her record of voting with President Joe Biden 99% of the time.

“We've got a perfect trifecta, the most liberal senator, Kamala Harris; Governor Walz, who let his major city burn, considered the most liberal governor; and Senator Tammy Baldwin, who is voted the second-most-liberal senator and has been nothing but a progressive rubber stamp for the progressive left,” Hovde said.

A fact-check story by PolitiFact notes that Biden didn't put Harris in charge of overseeing border security. Instead, Biden asked Harris to work with officials in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras to stem migration to the U.S.

— Rachel Hale

More: 'Border czar'? Kamala Harris assigned to tackle immigration's causes, not border security

Kamala Harris rally attendees outside Fiserv Forum Tuesday morning

Even though the Harris-Walz rally isn't starting until Tuesday night, some attendees made their way to Fiserv Forum Tuesday morning, hours before the doors open.

"I'm looking forward to listening to (Harris') positive message," Debi Babula of Franklin said. "I think we need more of that."

A couple from Appleton sported matching blue shirts in support for Harris.

"We're mostly excited to hear her talk," Brittani Wydeven said. "There is so much energy behind her and her campaign."

Wydeven said having Harris in Milwaukee Tuesday is especially meaningful since the convention is in Chicago.

"It means a lot. We're in a battleground state, and to know that she's here during the DNC," Wydeven said. "Now we feel hope."

Marla Poytinger, CEO of Bars & Recreation, which has two Deer District bars, said after a successful Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum, she's also excited to welcome the Democrats to Milwaukee.

She said AXE MKE and The New Fashioned outside Fiserv Forum will host a watch party on the TV screens.

"Everybody is excited to show that we welcome everyone, both the RNC and the DNC," Poytinger said.

— Jolan Kruse

Crowd of 100 gathers in anticipation of JD Vance’s remarks

A crowd of about 100 supporters has gathered in front of the Kenosha County Courthouse in anticipation of Vance’s press conference Tuesday afternoon.

Remarks from U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde, Rep. Bryan Steil and Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner are set to begin shortly.

— Rachel Hale

JD Vance to speak Tuesday in Kenosha at press conference

First up Tuesday is Vance returning to Wisconsin for the third week in a row for a press conference in Kenosha focused on crime.

The trip is Vance's third to Wisconsin in as many weeks and comes as he continues to shadow visits from Harris and Walz.

Vance spoke to reporters in Eau Claire on Aug. 7 as Harris and Walz rallied just miles up the road. And he delivered remarks on crime and immigration Friday at the Milwaukee Police Association, which endorsed the Trump-Vance ticket.

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— Lawrence Andrea

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kamala Harris, Tim Walz hold rousing rally at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Republican VP nominee JD Vance in Kenosha: Recap