President Biden to visit Milwaukee next week in 1st official trip
MILWAUKEE - President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday, Feb. 9 plans for his first official presidential trip: he is coming to Milwaukee.
The president will join a cable network's town hall broadcast live from the Pabst Theater in downtown Milwaukee on Tuesday evening, Feb. 16 -- and it will come on a very busy day in Wisconsin politics.
"I think it’s incredibly important that the city, just like we talked about with the DNC, gets the opportunity to shine nationally," said Pabst Theater Group President and CEO Gary Witt. "Look, the rest of the county and the world get to see that the city of Milwaukee has a beautiful, iconic historic landmark like the Pabst."
CNN first contacted the Pabst Theater Group on Friday, Feb. 5 -- and then on Monday told them they were chosen.
"You’ve got to jump over a ton of hurdles. You’ve got to do the Michael Jordan jump from the free-throw line slam dunk in order to make these things happen," Witt said of beating out other cities to win the honor to host the event.
The Pabst Theater Group's Riverside Theater hosted a CNN Republican Town Hall in 2016 -- and a Joe Biden book tour in 2018.
"Everyone has great muscle memory of their enjoyment backstage and dining on the food that our chief makes and how they’re treated at our spaces," Witt said. "That had something to do with everyone remembering. Look, it’s one of the reasons why they remember our city."
This time, CNN and the Pabst traded COVID-19 safety plans.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said the event will be safe.
"He wants to come to America’s heartland, and we’re tickled pink that he’s chosen Milwaukee and we’re excited to have him here," Barrett said.
Biden visits Milwaukee on the same day Wisconsin hosts the primary for Superintendent of Public Instruction -- and at the same time Democratic Governor Tony Evers unveils his 2021-23 budget.
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"We found out today and frankly, I’m not sure if I’ll be present at that event or not. The most important thing I’m doing that day is giving my budget address, which I will give on the 16th," Evers said.
While Biden did not attend the Democratic National Convention planned for Milwaukee, he did campaign in the state three times in 2020. The same year, President Donald Trump visted the Badger State ten times. Biden won by roughly 20,000 votes.
Reaction to the Biden visit
Pabst Theater Group President and CEO Gary Witt
"We are proud that our strong, long-term relationships with groups like CNN give us opportunities like this," Witt said. "We're honored to host the President and shine a national spotlight on our city, our beautiful theater and the Marcus Corporation's gorgeous Saint Kate arts hotel."
Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Mark Jefferson
"It is telling that President Biden has decided to counter-program a governor from his own party. Either the White House isn’t communicating with Democrat governors, or the Democrats realized that it is in Gov. Evers’ best interest for no one to watch him unveil this budget."
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