MILWAUKEE COUNTY — Starting Monday the nation turns its attention to the Republican National Convention after Democrats showcased their party last week. Some Wisconsin delegates will take part in-person in Charlotte, while others do so from the comfort of their homes.
Over the years of attending the Republican National Convention, Patty Reiman has collected an assortment of pins and credentials.
“Each one had its own individual uniqueness,” Reiman said. “Obviously from my first one, I saved everything.”
2020 will mark her fourth convention as a delegate from the Milwaukee area, but this time around she doesn’t know if she’ll get any souvenirs.
“It isn’t the convention I expected,” Reiman said.
When the RNC kicks off Monday, Reiman will be participating from her house in Wisconsin.
“We’re taking a step back and monitoring it through the few Wisconsin delegates that are out there,” Reiman said.
The state sent four delegates to Charlotte, including Chairman Andrew Hitt, who’s already out there.
“We are still here in Charlotte, we’re still conducting the business that we need to conduct down here in Charlotte,” Hitt said.
He said on Monday they’ll have a virtual meeting with both the delegates in Charlotte and Wisconsin before they officially nominate the president and vice president.
Then, the delegates will head back home.
“Every evening our delegates and supporters will have a chance to get together at one of our over 30 field offices around the state,” Hitt said.
The convention will conclude Thursday, with all state delegates gathering in the Waukesha area to watch the president’s speech.
“I’m proud that I’m still a part of this convention,” Reiman said.
While Reiman wishes things were different, she looks forward to seeing this convention play out, and is already counting down the days until 2024.
“Of course I miss it, I can’t wait for four more years and be part of another RNC convention, where we can pick up where we’ve left off with the other ones,” Reiman said.
As for those classic souvenirs, Reiman may still get them. Hitt said the RNC will be sending gifts to all of the delegates that were supposed to be in Charlotte.
