"A Wisconsin show:" 7 from the Badger State slated to speak at Republican National Convention



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Calls for change in Cleveland, Ohio on the eve of the Republican National Convention. The RNC takes place Monday, July 18th through Thursday, July 21st. Police unions are asking Governor John Kasich to suspend the state's open carry gun laws during the convention following the shootings of police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Dallas, Texas.

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State law in Ohio allows for licensed firearm owners to wear their weapons in public. Firearms are only banned within a small "secure zone" inside and around the Quicken Loans Arena.

The convention is in Cleveland, but the representation and prominence of the Wisconsin contingent is impressive.

In Cleveland, if Donald Trump is to be the star this week, Wisconsin will play a supporting role.

Wisconsin's primary on April 5th was the last time Trump lost. Ted Cruz won Wisconsin.

"I have come around to Donald trump. I think Donald trump will make a terrific president," a delegate from Wisconsin said.

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Paul Ryan at RNC



On Sunday afternoon, July 17th, House Speaker Paul Ryan and his wife, Janna walked on stage for a camera check inside Quicken Loans Arena, and Ryan decided to have a little fun.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the 2017 world champion Green Bay Packers!" Ryan said.

Ryan said the view was a familiar one. The last time he was on stage at a convention it was 2012 and he was Mitt Romney's running mate.

The RNC will be a Wisconsin show.

Reince Priebus at RNC



Ryan is convention chairman. Reince Priebus leads the party, and Steve King of Janesville heads the committee on arrangements, responsible for putting the event together.

"I`m a businessperson, and it`s been like having $64 million to launch a startup business," King said.

This business will last four days, and requires an estimated 3,000 police officers and a large security perimeter. It will help sell a candidate to skeptical voters.

Steve King



"It`s going to be different, but one term I`ve heard is showbiz. It`s not. It`s going to be much closer to a conventional convention, if you will," King said.

110 RNC staffers got the arena ready in four weeks, and delegates from Milwaukee County said Sunday they like what they've seen in the host city.

"I love Cleveland. I thought, 'ugh, we`re going to Cleveland?' But I`m all about Cleveland now!" a Milwaukee County delegate said.



When the convention begins Monday, Wisconsin delegates will have a front-row seat to history. Their section is right next to the stage.

"It`s a Wisconsin show. We`re where we should be, in that regard," King said.

There are seven Wisconsinites who will give speeches during the RNC. The latest addition is Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, who said for weeks he wouldn't be attending.

His campaign said Priebus asked him to speak about national security.

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Governor Scott Walker is another of the seven from Wisconsin slated to speak.

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The complete list of speakers from Wisconsin is as follows:

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke



David Clarke, Sheriff of Milwaukee County
David Clarke is the sheriff of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He began his career in law enforcement with the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). In 1992, he was promoted to lieutenant of detectives, and in 1996, he earned a promotion to captain of police and became part of the department’s command staff. As captain, Clarke was responsible for the department’s First Division, and in 1999, he became commanding officer of the MPD’s Intelligence Division.

Rep. Sean Duffy



U.S. Representative Sean Duffy (WI-7)
U.S. Representative Sean Duffy serves Wisconsin’s 7th District. Duffy is married to Rachel Campos-Duffy, whom he met while appearing on MTV’s hit television show The Real World,  and the couple now has eight children.  In Congress, Duffy is working to reduce government spending, lower taxes, promote individual freedom, and limit government intrusion.

Rachel Campos Duffy, The LIBRE Initiative
Rachel Campos-Duffy is the national spokeswoman for The LIBRE Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of the Hispanic community through conservative ideals. Campos-Duffy is also a commentator and television personality; she began her television career on MTV’s iconic reality television show, The Real World.



U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin)
Elected in 2010, Johnson has been fighting to get the country’s fiscal house in order. He is focused on reining in government spending and bringing jobs back to the people of Wisconsin. Before being elected to office, Johnson started a polyester and plastics manufacturing business, PACUR, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Running this small business, Johnson did everything from operating the equipment to keeping the company books.

House Speaker Paul Ryan



U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (WI-1)
U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan is the permanent chairman of the 2016 Republican National Convention. Born and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin, Ryan has spent his life advocating for real solutions that help increase opportunities for all Americans. He first won election to the U.S. House in 1999, and during his tenure, he has become known for his leadership on budget and fiscal matters.

Scott Walker



Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker
A candidate in the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Scott Walker is the 45th governor of Wisconsin. He was first elected in 2010 and re-elected to a second term in 2014. Upon taking office, Walker proposed bold reforms that eliminated Wisconsin’s $3.6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes. During his tenure in office, Walker has taken on public-sector labor unions, signing a bill to limit public employee collective bargaining and winning a recall election over the issue.

Reince Priebus



Reince Priebus, RNC Chairman
Reince Priebus’ three terms make him the longest-serving chairman in modern history. During his first term as chairman, Priebus oversaw a dramatic turnaround of the RNC, rescuing its finances, rebuilding the operations, and implementing the best ground game effort the committee had ever organized. Priebus dedicated his second term to taking the party’s message of freedom and economic opportunity to all states and all communities. By welcoming new voices and voters and harnessing the power of new technology, he led the RNC in building the infrastructure needed for a landslide GOP victory in the midterm elections. Now in his third term, Priebus is working to deliver victories in races across the country in the 2016 campaign.