MILWAUKEE — Voters packed Sherman Phoenix to hear from presidential candidate and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes praised Booker as he made his second trip to the city this year.
Sunday was Booker's chance to stand out from a crowded field of Democrats running for president. According to voters, he needs to. Most of the voters we talked with Sunday were undecided.
Senator Cory Booker works to energize voters at Sherman Phoenix. Most people I’ve talked to here are still figuring out who they want to vote for. They also say seeing candidates come to their state matters. pic.twitter.com/F8XlIWv5fG
— Mary Jo Ola (@MaryJoOlaTV) August 11, 2019
"I want to hear what everyone saying and I want to hear exactly what their agenda is," said Marsha Montgomery who lives in Milwaukee.
"I have not made up my mind," said Sam Meeks, who lives in Wisconsin.
Booker talked about his experiences living in a low-income neighborhood, the need to address issues like climate change, gun violence, income, and health care. He worked to energize the crowd about the need to look at winning 2020 differently.
"I hope that my message of healing of pulling this country together not defining us by what we’re against but by what we’re for the best of who we are and not being pulled down into the worst I hope that those are the ideals that ultimately represent our party in the final election against Donald Trump," Booker told reporters.
In a state that flipped republican in 2016, Booker said reaching voters in cities like Milwaukee is critical.
"I think our pathway to victory flows through cities like this. As leaders in the city here told me the turn out in this city alone could've made a difference if they voted the same way they had in 16 as they did four years earlier. So we need to make sure that we have candidates that can excite and energize," Booker said.
Though undecided voters said when a candidate shows up in their state, it matters.
"I think people like to feel heard and noticed," said Meeks.
"Very important as a voter. It tells me that these candidates really care about serving the people," said Mari Gabrielson.
