RNC 2024: Milwaukee mayor, city officials field convention questions

Was the RNC a success for Milwaukee?

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson fielded questions about the run of the Republican National Convention and the RNC's impact on the city.

MILWAUKEE - The Republican National Convention put Milwaukee in the global spotlight this week, but was it a success for the city?

Mayor Cavalier Johnson on Friday called the RNC, overall, a success. But not everyone agrees.

"Milwaukee got exposure not just across the United States, but really across the world," he said.

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RNC economic impact

It was a tale of two different takes from city leaders.

"This was our first time holding an event of this magnitude of this caliber in the city," Johnson said. "I think that everybody ought to be pleased with how the city performed."

Mayor Johnson fields questions post-RNC

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson answered questions following the conclusion of the Republican National Convention. Alderman Bob Bauman also talked about the convention before the mayor spoke.

Ald. Robert Bauman unexpectedly jumped in to give his thoughts just minutes before Johnson spoke on Friday.

"Milwaukee did OK in terms of the public relations and the image of the city," said Bauman, whose district includes downtown. "In terms of the economic benefit – grossly oversold."

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Some restaurants, bars and shops said business this week was a boom. Others said it was a bust.

"It seemed like it was fairly dead, especially at a lot of the local shops down on Broadway here," said Milwaukee resident Sam Frymark.

Johnson admitted there is room for improvement. After the RNC, he thinks it won't be the last time the city hosts a large-scale event.

"I think that puts us in the position where we can better position ourselves, better pitch ourselves to host other large-scale events – whether they are political, business, sports, entertainment," he said. "

"Better pitch ourselves to host other large scale events, whether they are political, business, sports, entertainment," he said. "When those things come here, especially without a security perimeter like the one we saw during RNC – it will put us in a position where we have a greater opportunity to impact our economy."

The mayor also noted that downtown residents were very patient and welcoming during the convention.