Kamala Harris continues to focus on Wisconsin voters. On the second night of the 2024 Democratic Convention, while the roll call of states was in full swing, she broke away to rally a record crowd of supporters in Milwaukee, marking her third visit in four weeks to the state.

“Hello, Milwaukee! How are we doing?” said Jaliah Jefferson, deputy organizing director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. “As Vice President Harris says, the road to the white House runs through this very state.”

For a few hours, and one night only on Aug. 20, a piece of the DNC was in the spotlight in the heart of downtown Milwaukee.

Vice President Kamala Harris held a rally at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Aug. 20 at the same time on the second night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

With the official convention in full swing 90 miles away inside Chicago’s United Center, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz filled two arenas at the same time — in two cities, with fired-up voters in Chicago and Milwaukee — which lit up with excitement.

Terrence Burkett, a resident of Franklin, was one of an estimated 18,000 people who came to the Fiserv Forum to cheer, chant and support what he calls the Harris-Walz political movement, even if it was from the so-called cheap seats.

“In ’08 when Obama ran, I got a chance to experience that and I did not think we would get to experience something like that again in my lifetime, to be honest,” said Burkett.

“I think the world is already very divided as it is, and to know that there are this many people that have the same sort of core beliefs and values and morals that you do, feels good,” Milwaukee resident Jessica Cabrera said.

The Milwaukee half of these twin rallies took place in the same space where Republicans held their national convention barely a month before, in July. In August, two blocks away, a huge Trump billboard sits high in the sky, offering voters a contrast between Republicans and Democrats.

Democratic campaign officials hope this convention-style campaign stop in Milwaukee has the same effect.

“The Vice President leaving her own convention and coming here is saying to voters on the ground in this city and in this state and Wisconsin, to say, ‘We see you, we value you,'” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson highlights the significance of a Harris rally held at the Fiserv Forum on Aug. 20 while the 2024 Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago. “The Vice President leaving her own convention and coming here is saying to voters on the ground in this city and in this state and Wisconsin, to say, ‘We see you, we value you,’” said Johnson. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

“We’re going to start the night from state to state so that all the voices are heard all around the nation,” said DJ Cassidy at the United Center, as a feed of the ceremonial roll call of delegates from Chicago was played out live on the big screens inside the Fiserv Forum.

“Illinois, how do you cast your vote?” the roll call began.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, vice presidential hopeful Walz walked out and stunned the crowd.

“By the way, they got a little party going over in Chicago. They didn’t know the big party was here in Milwaukee tonight — this is where it’s at,” he said.

At a Harris rally in Milwaukee on Aug. 20 during the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz spoke about the Republican National Convention that was previously held in the city. “They left here riding high. They were feeling good. This thing was over. Well, trust me Milwaukee, a hell of a lot can change in four weeks,” said Walz. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

Walz wasted no time in talking about the elephant in the room — their opponent, former President Donald Trump.

“They left here riding high. They were feeling good. This thing was over. Well, trust me Milwaukee, a hell of a lot can change in four weeks,” said Walz.

When it’s time for the Wisconsin delegation, this Milwaukee audience erupts into a Wisconsin Badgers football tradition — “Pack it up, pack it in, let me begin…” — meant to give the team a last-quarter push towards victory.

“I am thrilled to reaffirm Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president of the United States,” said Jason Rae, secretary of the Democratic National Committee and a Wisconsinite, at the convention in Chicago.

After the Minnesota and California roll calls, the message from Harris in Milwaukee is live-streamed to those at the convention in Chicago and the rest of America.

“They have nominated Coach Walz and me to be the next Vice President and President of the United States of America,” Harris declared.

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about her presidential candidacy at a rally on Aug. 20 in Milwaukee during the 2024 Democratic National Convention. “They have nominated Coach Walz and me to be the next Vice President and President of the United States of America,” Harris said. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

Surrounded by the people she hopes to represent, using the one word that represents her campaign, candidate Harris reminded the enthusiastic crowd that her campaign is about freedom.

“Like the freedom to vote. The freedom to be safe from gun violence. The freedom to love who you love openly and with pride,” she said.

Now that Harris is the official nominee, she’s hoping to ride the momentum from the 2024 Democratic National Convention all the way until Election Day in November.