See you next year

That’s all from this year’s GOP convention. The finally tally of attendees is about 800, down a little from the 974 that showed up in 2015, the last off year. Republicans will meet May 11-13 next year in Milwaukee.

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Three possible GOP Senate candidates decline to fully discuss Comey firing

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. Three possible U.S. Senate candidates this weekend declined to fully weigh in on President Trump’s decision to fire former FBI Director James Comey. The three — state Sen. Leah Vukmir, state Rep. Dale Kooyenga and Kevin Nicholson, a business consultant and former Marine — attended the state GOP convention this weekend at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Nicole Schneider was there on Friday at events that weren’t open to reporters; she’s the daughter-in-law of the late Donald Schneider,

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Johnson urges Republicans to match the intensity from the left to defend freedom

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson warned GOP activists of the “primal scream” from the left, saying those on the other end of the political spectrum are “relentless in taking away our freedom. “We have to be every bit as relentless and tenacious in defending our freedom,” Johnson said. Still, he urged those at the convention to approach opponents with a warm heart. He told them to get involved in local organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and their churches. While

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Gallagher thanks GOP activists for helping Republicans ‘save the country’

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher said he wasn’t able to make it to the state GOP convention because one of his best friends got married this weekend. In a video, Gallagher joked to convention attendees he tried to persuade his friend to have the wedding in the Wisconsin Dells to no avail. Still, he thanked GOP activists for their work and the opportunity they’ve given Republicans. “Your hard work has given us the opportunity to save the country,” the Green Bay

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Duffy: Trump is ‘helping us make history,’ dismantling Obama policies

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wausau, told state GOP convention attendees President Trump is “helping us make history and make America great again.” He said Congress and Trump have “started the process of dismantling the Obama agenda” by rebuilding the military, “going after ISIS” and North Korea and rolling back the Dodd-Frank financial regulations. Meanwhile, he added, unemployment is down and markets are up. “The left doesn’t know what to do about it and the media doesn’t know how to report

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Ryan encourages GOP activists to ignore ‘blowback’ on Obamacare repeal

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. House Speaker Paul Ryan implored GOP activists to ignore the “blowback” they’re seeing on TV about the Affordable Care Act, saying Republicans understand the opportunity they have with full control of Washington, D.C. The House passed a GOP health care bill earlier this month after Ryan, R-Janesville, had to pull an earlier version because it lacked the needed votes to pass. Ryan called Obamacare a “failing, collapsing law.” “We made good on our word,” Ryan said. He added later to

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Grothman says U.S. ‘can’t afford not to build a wall’

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Glenbeulah, wasn’t able to make it to the state GOP convention this year but said in a video that Republicans must “stand with our president” on immigration policy and build a wall. “We can’t afford not to build a wall,” he said, saying the country is spending too much on having illegal immigrants in the criminal justice system and giving them “free benefits.” Grothman was “still in the hospital” after having a medical procedure, according to U.S.

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Johnson says Comey was in ‘pretty tough spot’ leading FBI

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said James Comey was in a “pretty tough spot” leading the agency, but declined to weigh in on whether the president taped his conversations with the former FBI director. Still, he said it would be troubling if the president had taped the conversation. President Trump tweeted this week Comey “better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!” Some have taken that as a threat and questioned if

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Nicholson defends political conversion, pressed on ’08 Dem prez primary vote

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. Possible GOP Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson defended his bona fides as a conservative as he was pressed on details Saturday about his 2008 vote in the Dem presidential primary. Nicholson, who was living in North Carolina at the time, has said he voted “no preference” in 2008 with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on the Dem primary ballot. But reporters pressed him on that, saying “no preference” was not an option for those voting in person in that race. “We’re talking

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Follow our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. Republican activists gathered this weekend at the Chula Vista resort in Wisconsin Dells for the 2017 state GOP convention. Gov. Scott Walker kicked things off yesterday with a fish fry that featured dueling pianos. This morning, he continued to tee up his 2018 re-election bid, telling GOP activists Wisconsin is a top 10 state for business, education and employment, but he’s “ready to do more.” U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson also spoke with reporters during the convention, saying James Comey was in

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Kleefisch: We need to bring it in 2018

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch said Republicans need to “bring it” in 2018 in order to see victory. Kleefisch said Democrats are attempting to organize and that Republicans can’t expect any advantage in 2018. “We need to meet them toe to toe; We can’t expect any advantages this time around,” … Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options. Username or E-mail

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Schimel slams possible Dem opponent

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. AG Brad Schimel slammed possible Dem opponent Josh Kaul as the “handpicked lawyer” of George Soros who was one of Hillary Clinton’s attorneys in the “wasteful” recount of Wisconsin’s presidential vote last fall. Schimel also took a swipe at Kaul’s mom, former Dem AG Peg Lautenschlager, ca… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Adamczyk asks convo attendees to make him last state treasurer

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See the rest of our coverage here. State Treasurer Matt Adamczyk said the elimination of the treasurer’s office will be a “symbolic win for limited local government.” Adamczyk who came out to Europe’s “The Final Countdown,” said he did so because the office is near to be eliminated with an amendment to do so hav… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Walker: ‘I’m ready’ for more, asks GOP activists if they are

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. Gov. Scott Walker continued to tee up his 2018 re-election bid, telling GOP activists this morning Wisconsin is a top 10 state for business, education and employment, but he’s “ready to do more.” Walker has said he will not formally announce whether he will seek re-election until after th… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Roth praises Fitzgerald for his early backing of Trump

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See the rest of our coverage here. Senate President Roger Roth praised Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald for his early support of President Trump. The Appleton Republican said Fitzgerald was willing to stand up when no one else was and “helped articulate and organize the movement that helped Trump win Wisc… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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See you next year

That’s all from this year’s GOP convention. The finally tally of attendees is about 800, down a little from the 974 that showed up in 2015, the last off year. Republicans will meet May 11-13 next year in Milwaukee.

Read More »

Grothman says U.S. ‘can’t afford not to build a wall’

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Glenbeulah, wasn’t able to make it to the state GOP convention this year but said in a video that Republicans must “stand with our president” on

Read More »

Johnson says Comey was in ‘pretty tough spot’ leading FBI

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said James Comey was in a “pretty tough spot” leading the agency, but declined to weigh in on whether the president taped his conversations with the

Read More »

Follow our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. Republican activists gathered this weekend at the Chula Vista resort in Wisconsin Dells for the 2017 state GOP convention. Gov. Scott Walker kicked things off yesterday with a fish fry

Read More »

Kleefisch: We need to bring it in 2018

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch said Republicans need to “bring it” in 2018 in order to see victory. Kleefisch said Democrats are attempting to organize and that Republicans can’t expect any

Read More »

Schimel slams possible Dem opponent

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See more coverage here. AG Brad Schimel slammed possible Dem opponent Josh Kaul as the “handpicked lawyer” of George Soros who was one of Hillary Clinton’s attorneys in the “wasteful” recount of Wisconsin’s presidential

Read More »

Adamczyk asks convo attendees to make him last state treasurer

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See the rest of our coverage here. State Treasurer Matt Adamczyk said the elimination of the treasurer’s office will be a “symbolic win for limited local government.” Adamczyk who came out to Europe’s “The Final

Read More »

Roth praises Fitzgerald for his early backing of Trump

This post is part of our coverage of the 2017 state GOP convention in Wisconsin Dells. See the rest of our coverage here. Senate President Roger Roth praised Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald for his early support of President Trump. The Appleton Republican said Fitzgerald was willing to stand up when

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