Democratic Party of Wisconsin increases convention security after targeted attack on Minnesota lawmakers

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Democratic Party of Wisconsin boosted security at its annual convention this weekend in light of the assassination and wounding of Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses on Saturday.

Democratic sources also told CBS 58 a total of 11 Wisconsin Democrats were on a hit list found police found inside the vehicle of suspected gunman, Vance Boelter, who authorities say is a suspect in killing one lawmaker and her husband and wounding another and his wife.

Details about Wisconsin Democrats being on the suspected gunman's list were first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Saturday. Police in Minnesota are still searching for Boelter.

"As the horrific events unfolded in our neighboring Minnesota, and with news moving incredibly quickly, we worked with our security detail as well as local law enforcement to increase their presence and make clear to our attendees that they are safe," a convention planner told CBS 58 a statement.

Boelter also has apparent former ties to Wisconsin, having attended and graduated from Cardinal Stritch University, according to his Linkeldn. 

Party Chair Ben Wikler said while the Minnesota shootings prompted Wisconsin Democrats to take more precautions, they were determined to move ahead with the two-day weekend convention as planned. He also acknowledged some of the attendees were shaken by the shootings.

"Many people here knew the victims of the shootings. I think there's a grave concern about the rise of political violence, and I also know there's a deep sense of resolve that the work of democracy has to continue," Wikler said. "Elected officials have been in touch with different security personnel. What we did was take swift action to increase the level of security here at our state party convention to make sure that attendees were safe and we were able to proceed with the party business accordingly."

State Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) said she believed the best thing Democrats could do is move ahead with the convention and added she felt an extra layer of comfort being among her colleagues during a terrifying time.

"I think we're perfectly safe in here. There's a lot of security, and we are really leaning on each other at this point," Sinicki said. "I think it was a good thing that so many of us were in the same space when we got all this news because there were a lot of hugs and a lot of, 'I hope you're alright, are you hanging in there?'"

The party's business during this convention included selected a new party chair, and delegates voted Devin Remiker into that role. Democrats are also building an approach to win over voters next year as their goals for 2026 included winning a closely contested congressional seat held by Rep. Derrick Van Orden, win two seats needed for control of the state Senate and keep control of the governor's office.

To do so, delegates offered different ideas for pitches they wanted the party to make.

"To me, it's authenticity. I think voters want to see real human beings," William Walter, a delegate from Washington County and director of Our Wisconsin Revolution, said. "We need to be able to look in a mirror and say, 'This is how we can do better. This is what we have to do to do better,' because at the end of the day, we serve our constituents. We serve the people of the state of Wisconsin. We don't serve our donors, and we don't serve big interests, at least we shouldn't."

Jim Carpenter, a delegate from Milwaukee County, wanted the party to continue highlighting contrasts separating them from the Trump administration in terms of treating vulnerable people.

"We're on the right side of history in terms of protecting Medicaid, in terms or protecting food stamps, in terms treating our immigrants justly," Carpenter said.

Carpenter said he hoped speakers Saturday would've spent more time discussing their vision for foreign policy. He co-sponsored a resolution in support of the United States restricting the weapons it supplies to Israel. The resolution passed by a vote of 236-30.

While Democrats may have differing views and approaches on policy subjects, attendees were consistent in denouncing the shootings in Minnesota and agreed the Wisconsin convention should have gone on this weekend. 

"Political violence is unacceptable," Walter said. "And we have seen a rise over the past decade as rhetoric continues to get more and more aggressive."