State Republican convention in town

WLUK TV

Updated: May 11, 2012 6:19 PM

GREEN BAY — The Wisconsin Republican State Convention kicks off Friday evening in Green Bay. Convention events will be held at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay and Shopko Hall in Ashwaubenon.

Convention coordinators estimate more than 1,300 will be in attendance, exceeding last year's turn out. A number of lawmakers and party officials are scheduled to speak throughout the weekend.

Saturday afternoon, Republican delegates are expected to endorse one of the four Republican U.S. Senate candidates. However, a candidate needs at least 60 percent of the vote in order to receive the endorsement. Convention officials say if that doesn't happen there will not be an endorsement.

In a statement released Friday morning, Gov. Scott Walker said, "This year's convention will be an incredible opportunity to bring Republican supporters, candidates, and elected officials together to ensure we keep moving Wisconsin, and our nation, forward under responsible conservative leadership."

Democrats, on the other hand, feel quite differently.

Next month, the Democratic Party will host its annual convention in Appleton.

FOX 11 spoke to party officials Friday afternoon.

They say the governor has divided this state and the recent controversial remarks show his true colors.

"He's done everything he can do to divide neighbor against neighbor," said Wisconsin Democratic Party spokesperson Graeme Zielinski. "He's not uniting this state, he's dividing it in a way that has take the focus off jobs, we lead the nation in job loss and he's done it in a way that's taken focus off integrity in government."

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