Republicans gather for state convention in Green Bay

GREEN BAY -- Republicans from across Wisconsin came together in Green Bay this weekend for the GOP's state convention.

A reception was held at the KI Center and at Lambeau Field Friday night, May 11th. Saturday morning, Republicans heard a number of speakers, including Congressman Paul Ryan, Gov. Scott Walker and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson.

The first day of the convention fell on the same day a new poll came out from Rasmussen Reports. It shows that if former Gov. Tommy Thompson wins the U.S. Senate primary, he would also win Sen. Herb Kohl's U.S. Senate seat.

"We have a very strong slate of Republicans. Any one of them is more than capable of defeating Tammy Baldwin in November and this race is wide open at this point," Ben Sparks, Republican Party spokesperson said.

Democratic Party spokesperson Graeme Zielinski said, "These polls at this time are not really useful.  They`re not really a guide. I don`t believe it, when it comes to the question of who`s gonna fight for the middle class."

On Saturday, the Republican candidates in the U.S. Senate race competed for the party's endorsement. None of the four candidates ended up winning the endorsement. The closest was Jeff Fitzgerald, with 52%.

Governor Scott Walker arrived at the convention Friday afternoon.  He plans to ask his supporters for help fighting the upcoming recalls. "Really I think the one unifier amongst everyone at this convention is the need to help me, Rebecca Kleefisch and those brave state senate candidates," Walker said.

Democrats say they're mobilizing their own forces.

"We have an army of 35,000 volunteers that we’re ready to plug in immediately and turn into field program that’s gonna help Tom Barrett to victory," Zielinski said.

The annual Democratic Convention will take place in June in Appleton.

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