What RNC delegates thought of Milwaukee, would they return, and what souvenirs they picked up
More than 2,000 delegates representing every state and U.S. territory were in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention. On the last day of the convention, Journal Sentinel reporters talked to dozens to see what they thought about Milwaukee, if they'd come back, and what souvenirs they were taking home.
Here's what they had to say.
Lori Martinez, Arizona
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? Amazing. You guys have done a phenomenal job. Everyone is so welcoming, it doesn't even matter if it's at the convention, downtown, outskirts. Everyone is so friendly. And I try to tell everyone, thank you so much for being so nice and welcoming. I'm overwhelmed with your graciousness, and I think you guys are happy to have us here. And we're happy to be here.
Would you come back? Absolutely, oh my gosh. I've been asking, 'When we come back, where should we go?' We've had so many recommendations. Obviously you have the breweries, you have the beach area. You have your phenomenal downtown area. I love architecture and so all the old historic buildings, it's phenomenal.
Are there any souvenirs you're taking home? I got a T-shirt that shows the RNC convention (logo) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We got magnets. We RV so we always like to put a magnet of where we attended (in the RV), and we have some Milwaukee ones.
— Ricardo Torres
Leticia Castillo, California
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? It’s beautiful. I love it. Everyone’s been so nice and welcoming.
Would you come back to visit? I might come back. My sister lives in Minnesota, and my nephew — her son — lives in Wisconsin on the border.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? I’m going to get some merchandise today.
— Tristan Hernandez
Mario Rodriguez, California
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? I like it. It's a beautiful city. I didn’t realize how by the water it is. We went to an event at a beautiful home on the water, and there’s so many beautiful homes in the area. And there’s a lot to do. People are very friendly.
Would you come back to visit? Yes, and I'd spend more time by the water.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? Cheese.
— Jordyn Noennig
Debbie Mayfield, Florida State Representative
Debbie Mayfield, a delegate who is also a Florida state senator, said she has enjoyed Milwaukee so far, and especially loves the historical area downtown. "I wasn't expecting this," Mayfield said. "It's a pleasant surprise how beautiful the city is."
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? It's wonderful. Actually we're going to take a walk down to the lakefront and then were going to go to St. Paul Fish (in the Public) Market.
Would you come back to Milwaukee? Yes, I'd like to take off down the lakefront because I think he (her husband) would really like it down there. He's a big sailor.
Are you bringing back any souvenirs? I don't know if we can get them in our suitcase. They give you so much stuff here.
— Jolan Kruse
Linda Trocine, Florida State Committeewoman
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? We’ve been enjoying it. Today the weather’s gorgeous, and the architecture is amazing. I’m enjoying being here. It’s our first time in Wisconsin.
We’ve had some social activities, but the Florida delegation has organized all of those. So yesterday we got to go to American Family Field. That was amazing, what an amazing facility. We had a nice time there.
Would you come back? Absolutely. In fact, on our trip, we brought our RV and toured the Great Lakes area before coming. We got to see Lake Michigan on both sides, Lake Huron and Lake Superior. We had a great time. We wish we had more time because there would be more things we’d like to explore in Wisconsin, but we’ll have to come back another time.
Are you bringing any souvenirs back? Lots of pictures. They’re easy to carry.
— Kathryn Muchnick
Carlos Gimenez, U.S. Representative, Florida
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? I like Milwaukee. Pretty cool town. I like the temperature, too. I mean, in the beginning it was hot, but today (Thursday) is a beautiful day, and it's a cool town.
Would you come back to Milwaukee? Sure. Why not?
Are you bringing any souvenirs back? I haven't had any time to get souvenirs. I do buy cheeses online from Wisconsin.
— Ricardo Torres
Frank Circelli, Georgia
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? It seems like a really nice place to visit.
Would you come back to Milwaukee? Absolutely!
Are you bringing any souvenirs back? I don’t know what to get yet.
— Thomas Daykin
Van Shelly, Guam
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? It's not my first time here, but Milwaukee is doing a great job with the convention. A really super job.
Would you come back to visit? Absolutely. I actually am a season ticket holder at Lambeau Field. We're Packer fans. And we were here two years ago for an Andrea Bocelli concert.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? Hats and other things from the convention.
— Jordyn Noennig
Pat Brown, Indiana
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? This city could not have been more polite, more positive, more responding to anything. I mean, there's somebody on every corner to answer a question. There's somebody when you go into the Fiserv. It amazes me they can provide that much hospitality for such a large area, such a large number of people and I’ve not heard one person offer a complaint of any kind. So Milwaukee, they have a lot to be proud of.
Memorable activity: The Indiana delegation visited the Domes on Tuesday morning and Brown said the desert dome was her favorite of the three. “I took several pictures to take home to say, 'Is this a species that would grow here?'” Brown said.
Would you come back to visit? I would consider it. The people have been very welcoming.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? I’m going this afternoon. I want something that will either be something I can put out either in my china cabinet or somewhere where it's a reminder of the good times we've had. I may be looking for gifts for family members and friends.
— Brittany Carloni
Tom Collins, Indiana
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? Great city, great people. Getting around has been a challenge, but not in a bad way. You just have to give yourself more time.
Would you come back to visit? Absolutely. We love coming to Brewers games. We’re very fond of the city.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? Just memories. We’ll probably grab some cheese curds on our way out of town.
— Thomas Daykin
Ed Pugh, Kansas
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? I haven’t spent much time in Milwaukee, we had to stay south of here. We haven’t been around Milwaukee much.
Would you come back to visit? For sure. I intend to drive around here a little bit after this convention.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? I think I’m going to take a whole hell of a lot of Trump signs.
— Tristan Hernandez
Marisel Walston, Kansas
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? This is my first time and I really wish I could spend more time going around the city. From what I’ve seen, I’m really impressed by all the architecture and old buildings around town. This seems to be a really lively place that has taken care of its architecture.
Would you come back to visit? I might.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? I'm going to figure that out at the convention today.
— Jordyn Noennig
Debbie Kuehne, Louisiana
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? I think Milwaukee is a beautiful city. It’s my first trip here and I have loved it. Everyone is so nice and wonderful. We have had a great time and the perfect weather has not hurt anything either. It just adds to an atmosphere that’s already just overflowing with excitement and optimism.
Would you come back to visit? Oh yes.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? I might grab a Wisconsin sweatshirt.
— Tristan Hernandez
Heather Sprague, Maine
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? I like it. It’s nice. I just walked 10 miles to hunt down my credentials.
Would you come back to visit? Sure.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? I got some a magnet from here and mostly Trump stuff for my family and friends.
— Tristan Hernandez
Anne DeLisle, Michigan
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? Milwaukee is a beautiful city and the people have shown tremendous Midwestern hospitality. We really feel at home!
Would you come back to visit? I can’t wait to come back and bring my family. My 12-year-old would love to come see the Brewers play!
What are you taking home as a souvenir? For a souvenir, I’m bringing home a Trump victory this November! And some cheese curds.
— Clara Hendrickson
Bill Schuette, State Representative, Michigan
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? Milwaukee is a great town. I like to run and found it easy to explore by running and walking. I even took a swim in Lake Michigan one day, and was glad to learn it is equally refreshing in Wisconsin as it is on the ‘right’ side of the lake!
Would you come back to visit? For sure. I wasn’t able to see the Harley-Davidson museum so I would like to go back and visit that.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? I don’t really buy souvenirs but am taking home my delegate credentials and some convention keepsakes. But from Milwaukee I have some nice photos, fond memories and a belly full of Bavarian pretzels!
— Clara Hendrickson
Jason Watts, Michigan
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? From what I’ve seen, and granted my delegation is in East Madison, it is a lovely city.”
Would you come back to visit? I definitely would be back.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? Lots of convention swag.
— Clara Hendrickson
Bobbie Coleman, Kentucky
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? I love it. It’s beautiful here; it’s really beautiful. First time I’ve been here.
Would you come back to visit? Absolutely. She’s actually sitting over there, but I’ve got a friend that lives with us in Kentucky that’s from Milwaukee.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? A Milwaukee RNC shirt.
— Kathryn Muchnick
Tim Bailey, Louisiana
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? Milwaukee is a big surprise to us. Number one, it has a beautiful skyline. The architecture is outstanding. The people are so nice, very hospitable.
Would you come back to visit? We will come back for regular vacations. I would encourage Milwaukee to do a better job at advertising how cool, nice this place is.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? A Brewers T-shirt. We went to the game Sunday.
— Jordyn Noennig
Donna Bergstrom, Minnesota
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? It's a really great town to be in for the convention. I'm just in awe of all the construction going on. So it's just fun to see that growth happening, and to be here and enjoy all the arts, food, and the people are so friendly.
Would you come back to visit? We're already planning a trip back. We want to go down by the lake, check out Il Cervo. We went to the Milwaukee Art Museum, but I want to come back and check out others like the Haggerty when we have more time.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? I'm keeping my entrance ticket to the art museum. It has a cute picture on it. Maybe I'll bring back some Spotted Cow, too.
— Jordyn Noennig
Kimberly Morella, New York
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? I would love to see more because I'm interested in the culture. What's interesting to me is the architecture of the areas we've been in. It's interesting the way the houses are all set up, the way the buildings are put together. We were at the Grain Exchange, an incredible architectural structure that's been around, I guess, since 1879. But I'd love to learn more of the history and I just didn't get to do any of that. If Milwaukee had a trolly tour, I would have totally taken it, because I would be really interested to understand and know more.
Would you come back? I do think I'd come back because I'd like to see the things I didn't get to see while I was here.
Are there any souvenirs that you're taking home? Yes and I brought an extra suitcase because I knew that would happen. But it's really the political stuff, it's not the Milwaukee stuff like cheese. I haven't seen one cheesehead. Now, I'm from New York so we think that everybody here wears cheeseheads. They don't. I haven't seen one, like, at all. I'd like to buy one of those.
— Ricardo Torres
Jessie Knight, North Carolina
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? I think Milwaukee is a fantastic town. I went to school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison years and years ago, so I’m very favorably inclined toward Wisconsin.
Would you come back to visit? I have been here before and I would come back.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? Believe it or not, I’m taking a cheesehead back. I had one when I went to business school here and it got lost in a move, so I need to replace it.
— Tristan Hernandez
Mina Murphy, North Carolina
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? When I saw the skyline I was so impressed. …People here are so friendly.
Would you come back to visit? Yes! If we’d known more (about Milwaukee) I think we would’ve made plans to stay beyond the convention.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? The convention gave us stuff.
— Thomas Daykin
John Steward, North Carolina
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? It's beautiful. Great that the weather has been fantastic, and the people are so friendly.
Would you ever come back to Milwaukee? Yes, I mean, it's not like DisneyWorld here. I don't know why I'd come here, but yes if I had a reason to come back.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? Not from outside the convention I haven't bought anything yet. In fact, I got a couple of hours today to kind of wander around and see what's out there.
— Jolan Kruse
Mark Tofano, North Carolina
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? The people of Milwaukee are fabulous. They're all smiles and open arms.
Would you come back to Milwaukee? No I would not, I'm not a big fan of cities.
Are you bringing any souvenirs back with you? No, I have not gotten anything yet.
— Jolan Kruse
Michael Giannetta, Pennsylvania
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? I love Milwaukee. I was never to Wisconsin before, and it’s a beautiful state. The only thing I'm surprised at is how flat it is. I’m from Pennsylvania, we’re used to rolling hills and mountains, but it’s beautiful.
Would you come back to visit? Absolutely. I would like to see other areas, not just Milwaukee.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? We've got some T-shirts and some hats and buttons. My most important souvenir is photographs I've taken to remember Milwaukee.
— Tristan Hernandez
Nelson Rodriguez, chief of staff, and Shadow Sen. Zoraida Buxó, Puerto Rica
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? Very well-organized convention. I'm a UW-Madison alum, so it doesn't surprise me, the warmth and the hospitality of Wisconsinites. We're really happy and excited to be back for that reason and supporting her efforts.
Buxó: And to participate as delegates of the delegation of Puerto Rico. One thing that impressed me is the level of security. Not only the Secret Service but local police. You can tell it was a very well-thought-out and organized activity. I have to congratulate the people of Milwaukee. (The city) was very clean, very organized. I really like it. It's a very nice place to come back and have fun.
Would you come back? Buxó: Definitely.
Are you taking any souvenirs home? Buxó: (I would like to take back) cheese curds. Rodriguez: We haven't had time to go shopping or anything like that. She's been on a tear as far as her schedule.
— Ricardo Torres
Cindy Costa, South Carolina
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? I think the people are very nice. …The city is very nice. I think the convention has been organized well. …There’s been a little frustration with being on time (with buses facing tightened security).
Would you come back to visit? I probably would come. (During the hot summer months in South Carolina) this would be a nice retreat.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? I haven’t had time to do all of that.
— Thomas Daykin
Taffy Howard, South Dakota
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? We’re loving it. You have a beautiful city from what we can see. … We walked over to the historic district and went over there a couple of days, just walking around exploring. Checking out Convention Fest. Shopping.”
Would you come back to visit? “I would. We were wondering, ‘OK, did you guys spend a lot of time and money cleaning up the downtown before you got here?’ But it does look really nice.”
What are you taking home as a souvenir? “Well, I spent 40 bucks on this T-shirt, which is a little crazy, but it’s a contribution to his campaign, so we’re OK with that. I’m taking some too-expensive clothes home so. Bought some local chocolates. … Lots of good food, cheese curds. I’m taking home a couple extra pounds, as well, from the cheese curds. I told my husband I’m living on cheese curds and Coke.”
— Kathryn Muchnick
Alexandra Coronado Hughes, U.S. Virgin Islands
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? It's beautiful. It's so green. People are so kind. It seems to me like it's a very peaceful place.
Would you come back to visit? Yes. I'd love to come back and see the rest of Wisconsin. It looks so beautiful.
What are you taking home as a souvenir? Nothing. I've been traveling for four weeks, so I don't have room in my suitcase.
— Jordyn Noennig
Jo-Ann Chase, Virginia
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? Amazing. The people are friendly. They're very hospitable. The different locations that we've been to, everyone has been nice. I don't know of any negative anything.
Would you come back? Sure. Definitely. People have been super nice.
Are you taking any souvenirs home? I haven't had a chance to get anything. We're staying in a hotel that's almost 30 minutes from here. We have two buses or three buses a day. When you get into the bus, it takes you forever to get out. So I haven't had a chance.
— Ricardo Torres
Peter Church, Wisconsin
What are your impressions of Milwaukee? We’ve had a pretty good time, I think. Fun to get down here into the city. We’re from a really rural area (north of Wisconsin Dells), so it’s kind of different. I haven’t made it downtown in probably 20 years.
Would you return to the city? To the Brewers’ stadium at least. That’s usually about as far into town as I get.
Any souvenirs? I’ve picked up stuff along the way. Can’t think of anything in particular. We’ve got bags full.
— Kathryn Muchnick
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What did RNC delegates think of Milwaukee, and would they return
