By: Kate Ackley, Maeve Sheehey, and Zach C. Cohen

July 15, 2024

Republicans Descend on Revitalized Convention

Lawmakers, lobbyists, and Republican Party faithful are headed to Milwaukee for a Republican National Convention that’s taken on a new sense of purpose after the assassination attempt against Donald Trump.

Milwaukee is a place to be seen in the aftermath of the first attempt on a president’s life since Ronald Reagan, and attendees insist they won’t be intimidated.

“I am keeping my original plans and I am not aware of anyone changing their plans,” said lobbyist Alex Vogel, founder of the Vogel Group. “The convention is an integral part of our election process and will not be deterred by unacceptable violence.”

Plenty of lobbyists and business interests will join the 50,000-plus convention-goers, including giant defense contractor Lockheed Martin and the American Petroleum Institute, which represents major oil companies. Both plan to attend the Democratic convention in Chicago, too.

GOP lobbyist Mark Williams, whose firm Ferox Strategies is hosting a brunch in Milwaukee this week, said he expected increased security around the convention but didn’t believe it would deter an uptick in interest among corporate denizens and Hill staffers.

Williams said he’s seen “enthusiasm build for Milwaukee and more and more events.”

At the same time, other lawmakers, lobbyists, and corporate representatives decided to skip this year’s event before the violence at Trump’s Saturday rally in Pennsylvania.

Swing-district electoral pressures, scheduling conflicts, and risks to corporate brands of being perceived as too cozy with a political party will keep some away. Even lawmakers running for relatively safe seats don’t always see the four-day political extravaganza as fruitful.

A contingent of vulnerable lawmakers with tough re-election fights said they had other plans — some as far away as Africa.

The Republican Main Street Partnership — a pragmatic conservative group — won’t attend, President and CEO Sarah Chamberlain said, despite hosting a Sunday welcome fête in previous years.

“The members support Trump but it’s just not in our wheelhouse, so we decided to pass,” Chamberlain said. She plans to spend the week focused on pivotal congressional races.

Some of the biggest names on K Street said they aren’t sponsoring events at either convention.

The Business Roundtable, US Chamber of Commerce, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and others said they weren’t hosting events but will have staff on the ground. Amazon, Boeing, Google, and other big companies didn’t respond to inquiries about their convention plans.

“Corporate interest isn’t zero, but they’re definitely taking more of an arm’s length approach,” said Andy Keiser, a Republican lobbyist with the firm Navigators Global. Read More

In the Arena

The convention is now under even closer scrutiny after Saturday’s assassination attempt at a campaign rally. Secret Service, local, state, and federal law enforcement reaffirmed robust security plans, Trump moved up his schedule to attend, and businesses in the vicinity are bracing for protests, reflecting the country’s deep political divisions. Read More

Sen. Ron Johnson will have a prime-time speaking slot tonight that could set the tone for the week. He’s one of the Senate’s most conservative members and a major Trump ally on Capitol Hill.

• Often combative and partisan, Johnson (Wis.) called this weekend on Bloomberg Television’s “Balance of Power” to “tone down rhetoric” surrounding national politics after the assassination attempt on Trump. His remarks will test whether he makes good on that promise or continues attacks against President Joe Biden for everything from border security policies to Covid response.

Around Town

Iowa Dinner: Iowa Republicans gathered at a Cajun restaurant on the outskirts of Milwaukee Sunday to revel in Trump’s imminent renomination despite the attempt on his life. Rep. Ashley Hinson, an appropriator on the spending panel overseeing the Homeland Security Department, said funding the Secret Service offers opportunities to probe its preparations.

• Sen. Chuck Grassley said he hoped the shooting would soften the nation’s increasingly inflammatory political discourse, including at the convention. “We got to tone it down,” Grassley said. “Both sides in a politically divided country have used bad rhetoric.”
• Some of the loudest applause was reserved for Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) for unseating Trump critic Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), and Grassley and his former Judiciary Committee aide Mike Davis for reshaping the Supreme Court.

NRSC & Inflation Discussion: If you’re looking for facetime with the mastermind behind the GOP’s efforts to flip the Senate, Axios will host a reception with National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (Mont.) this afternoon. The inflation-focused event goes from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at 1037 W Juneau Ave.

Official RNC Watch Party: Drink Wisconsibly Pub is the site of this year’s official convention watch party. Stop by for a drink and some hobnobbing with fellow attendees.

Lawyers’ Reception: Husch Blackwell’s Milwaukee office will host a reception from 3 to 6 p.m. to kick off the convention with an afternoon of networking. The firm invited presidential campaign and national party aides, as well as members of Congress. Stop by to chat with lawyers about the legal implications of overturning Chevron and Trump’s felony conviction.

Post-convention Concert: DJ duo Milk n Cooks will perform at the Jamboree, held at the Red, White, and Blue Bar, for today’s afterparty. The Jamboree’s stated mission is to “Make America Fun Again” — so if you’re sick of political speeches, consider rounding out the night with some dubstep.

Louisiana Delegation Reception: Louisiana is enjoying historic clout in the House via Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise. That’s why the delegation’s reception at the Crowne Plaza at 11 p.m. will be one to watch.

Boehner Warehouse Party: As mysterious as it is exclusive, the nightly Warehouse Party has been a mainstay of GOP conventions for years. It’s nicknamed for ex-Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who’s expected to appear this year. The location is under wraps for what’s arguably the most famous party of the convention. Happy hunting.