MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin Delegates for the Democratic National Convention are sharing their support for Vice President Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden suspended his campaign.

“I wanted to make sure we shared gratitude and that we are very much in support of Vice President Harris. We are collectively supporting her across the finish line,” said Nadiyah Johnson, a district delegate from Milwaukee.

President Joe Biden announced Sunday in a letter to the nation that he would no longer seek reelection and is ending his 2024 presidential campaign.

Shortly after the announcement, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the potential nominee.

“Shock. Total shock. Surprise. A little bit of heartbreak, especially after meeting with him two weeks ago exactly,” Korbey White, a delegate from Verona, shared.

In under a month, delegates like White and others nationwide will attend the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago to formalize a nominee.

While many delegates expressed mixed feelings of gratitude and sadness, they also are looking forward.

“Now is a chance to get in a state of unity and I look forward to seeing that happen at the DNC,” Johnson said.

In Wisconsin, 95 delegates and seven alternates will travel to the conference.

While the Wisconsin Delegation has not unanimously backed Harris, some delegates tell TMJ4 it seems they are headed in that direction.

“This is a demonstration of a party and a family acting responsibly in light of the current situation,” Craig Mastantuono, a delegate from Milwaukee, explained.

“People are doubling down on moving forward with the vice president.”

The eight Milwaukee delegates to the DNC shared this statement with TMJ4:

“As the eight Milwaukee delegates to the DNC, we wish to express our respect and admiration for Joe Biden, and deep appreciation for his remarkable presidency. Joe Biden has always put his country first, and he continues that today. We are excited to support Kamala Harris as our presidential nominee. We have full confidence in her and are energized to help her win this November!”

Those delegates are encouraging voters to pay attention now more than ever.

“I hope people realize the gravity of this important moment. It’s a historic moment for sure,” Johnson said.

The 2024 Democratic National Convention is scheduled for Aug. 19-22 in Chicago.

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Big Gretch could cause a big mess in Michigan if the Democrats win with her on the ticket or recruit her for a cabinet post. Ambitious Dems from Lansing to Detroit may secretly hope she stays put.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer consistently and insistently says she does not intend to run for president. Just about the only elected official I can think of who has been equally unwavering in their public pledges about their political ambitions is Joe Biden, who said he would never stop running for president.

Uh-oh …

Biden’s historic reversal Sunday changes the dynamic in the presidential race in a way we’ve never seen before. And even if Whitmer remains steadfast in her declaration that she won’t run for the top office in America — and, arguably, the world — she has not so far said whether she would consider joining the Democratic ticket as vice president; or as a member of a Democratic administration, if whoever winds up on the ticket beats Republicans Donald Trump and JD Vance.

Vice president is the job infamously described as “not worth a pitcher of warm piss,” by John Nance Garner, who said that after serving two terms as VP to Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It’s the job virtually every politician says they don’t want — until it’s offered to them. Then they gratefully accept it as if their dearest dream has just come true.

To speculate on such matters in a situation as fluid as this is like trying to build a house of cards in a whitewater raft. It is, candidly, a columnist’s nightmare.

This much I say with confidence: If the new Democratic ticket wins with Big Gretch as president, vice president, or a top choice for a primo cabinet position, it will upend Michigan’s political landscape in a way no living person in Michigan has seen before.

Domino effect

Whitmer leaving Lansing before her term ends on Jan. 1, 2027, would make Garlin Gilchrist governor. Gilchrist, the lieutenant governor and a Detroit Democrat, currently is an ambitious politician looking for something to run for, but finding no easy path.

Being elevated to governor would make Gilchrist the de facto incumbent and front-runner for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2026. The last time something like this happened, Lt. Gov. William Milliken succeeded Gov. George Romney when he joined Richard Nixon’s administration in 1969. Milliken, a Republican, finished out Romney’s term and was reelected three times.

I can think of two people who are dreading such a scenario, and a gaggle more who could be equally unhappy.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are expected to compete for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2026, a race that would be dramatically complicated by a sitting Democratic governor. Duggan, a white man who lived most of his pre-mayoral life in the suburbs, is likely not eager to face a Black man from Detroit. And Benson, a white woman from Detroit, would likely not relish the competition for Michigan’s progressive votes.

The row of falling dominoes will run all the way down Interstate 96 to Detroit, where establishment and business-types worried about City Councilwoman Mary Sheffield succeeding Duggan as mayor may try to talk Hizzoner into running for a fourth term. They have been persuasive before, convincing Duggan to run as a write-in back in 2013, after he was resigned to spending more time at his cottage after getting kicked off the ballot on a technicality.

Duggan, the master strategist, hasn’t said yet whether he’ll run for a fourth term, run for governor, or finally get to spend some time in that cottage rocking chair watching his beloved Michigan Wolverines battle in a newly-reconstituted BiG Ten. So, he wouldn’t even seem like a flip-flopper (or chicken) if he declares his heart was always set on extending Detroit’s resurgence from downtown to its neighborhoods.

Potential disarray in Detroit politics

The gaggle whose ambitions could be thwarted by a Whitmer-to-Washington and Duggan-in-Detroit scenario begins in Detroit City Hall.

The challenge that Duggan running again poses for Sheffield, speaks for itself.

The ripples would likely also rock the boats of At-Large City Councilman Coleman Young Jr. and District 7 Councilman Fred Durhal, who are said to be weighing mayoral candidacies. At-Large Councilwoman Mary Waters who, if she is unsuccessful in her bid to unseat 13th Congressional District U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, may use the team she’s building to try and move into the Manoogian Mansion. I’m sure her partner, Sam Riddle, who currently gets his exercise jogging, would love a chance to move his workouts to the pool between the mayoral manse and its boathouse.

Other mayoral aspirants could find their road to the mayor’s office blocked, too.

Saunteel Jenkins, CEO of the Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), would likely see her support in the business community dry up. Some have suggested that Hill Harper, if he fails to win the Democratic nomination to run for U.S. Senate seat opened by Debbie Stabenow’s retirement, should run for mayor next. Adam Hollier, whose congressional campaign was derailed by fraudulent petitions, may aim high for his next race, though some supporters are still upset with him for blowing his chance to take out Thanedar. Then there’s Thanedar himself, who might consider a four-year mayoral term more comfortable than running every two years against a phalanx of candidates vowing to run him out of Washington so Detroit can restore its legacy of Black representation in the House of Representatives. And, since the mayor’s race is in 2025, Thanedar could run without giving up his congressional seat.

Then there are all the people who might run for Detroit City Council if some incumbents get in the mayoral race.

Again, it’s too early to rule anything out for Whitmer.

It’s not too early to say there are plenty of Democrats who love “Big Gretch,” but are secretly hoping she stays right where she is.

M.L. Elrick is a Pulitzer Prize- and Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter and host of the ML’s Soul of Detroit podcast. Contact him at mlelrick@freepress.com or follow him on X at @elrick, Facebook at ML Elrick and Instagram at ml_elrick.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Brewers face the Chicago Cubs for a series that could influence the outcome the fate of Chicago’s season.

The Cubs sit last in the division, but still within reach of a Wild Card spot. Given the crowded competition for those final playoff spots, this series could ultimately cause the Cubs to sit out of major additions if the Brewers take a commanding series victory.

It’s an opportunity to capitalize on a disappointing opponent, but the Cubs have been playing better lately. That’s part of what drives the narrative home for this potentially playing a role in the Cubs’ deadline plans. Over the past 30 days entering Sunday, according to FanGraphs, the Cubs rank 18th in runs scored and sixth in team ERA. That pitching performance could prove vital to how this three-game set plays out.

Although the Cubs have been hovering around the middle of the pack offensively, Ian Happ is a key performer who has stepped up recently. After a slog of underperformance, Happ has bounced back with a .261/.376/.543 (156 wRC+) slash line that includes 12 doubles and nine home runs since June 1.

Probable Pitcher Matchups

Monday, July 22 @ 7:05 p.m: Tobias Myers (3.13 ERA, 4.16 FIP) vs. Javier Assad (3.27 ERA, 4.51 FIP)

This series has quite a few pitchers starting with ERAs significantly lower than their underlying peripherals suggest, but this could prove to be one of the more fascinating matchups of the week. Tobias Myers’ 3.13 ERA has been vital to the Brewers’ success. His most recent performance was one of his most impressive, an eight-inning shutout against the Pirates. As the season has progressed, he’s been walking fewer batters, giving up fewer home runs, and inducing more groundballs. Will that formula carry over against this Cubs lineup?

Javier Assad hasn’t been the most convincing pitcher, especially in recent weeks. After a solid start to the season, Assad had a 1.49 ERA after nine starts. In eight starts since then, Assad’s 5.59 ERA has been accompanied by a rising walk rate and a growing tally of home runs allowed. He usually doesn’t go deep in games, only pitching at least five innings in four of those nine recent starts.

Tuesday, July 23 @ 7:05 p.m: Colin Rea (3.77 ERA, 4.48 FIP) vs. Jameson Taillon (3.10 ERA, 3.81 FIP)

Colin Rea has been a steady presence for the Brewers this season, working a 9-3 record and a 3.77 ERA. There have been a few unsightly pitching lines, but in his eight most recent starts, he has allowed more than two runs just twice. That’s a model of consistency the Brewers are grateful for as Rea has even tapped into some more strikeouts lately. He doesn’t give away many free passes and he’s done a great job of forcing groundballs, feeding into the team’s defensive strength.

Jameson Taillon might not be an ace, but he’s a practical, effective pitcher when he’s at his best. He has a 3.10 ERA this season, which would be the best mark of his career. Taillon has expertly limited hard contact this season. His 35.6% hard-hit rate is in the 74th percentile, according to BaseballSavant. Taillon made significant improvements to his cutter, his second-most used pitch. The pitch allowed a .521 SLG last year, compared to .267 in 2024.

Wednesday, July 24 @ 1:20 p.m: TBD vs. Justin Steele (3.07 ERA, 3.18 FIP)

Joe Ross hasn’t pitched for the Brewers since May 20, but this could be the time for his return as he wraps up a rehab assignment. Although he isn’t the flashiest pitcher, he had been on a solid run before his injury. In his last four games, he had a 3.18 ERA over 17 innings. Ross had made one appearance this year against the Cubs, going six innings while allowing one run on May 3.

Justin Steele’s 2-4 record is deceptive given his actual performance. Over a nine-game span from May 27 to July 11, Steele pitched to an impressive 1.48 ERA. His most recent start, however, was much less dominant. In 4 ²⁄₃ innings against the Diamondbacks, he allowed five runs. Steele generally doesn’t give up many home runs or even surrender much hard contact, so it will be an important test in the series finale for the Brewers to face one of last year’s Cy Young candidates.

Prediction

The Cubs are at the bottom of the division for a reason. Although they aren’t quite in the “bad” category, they haven’t been the most impressive of the Brewers’ NL Central rivals. Still, they’ve been much better lately. I have more faith in the Brewers offense, but the Cubs bullpen has been the best in baseball over the last 30 days with a 1.86 ERA. If Milwaukee’s offense can’t create many leads, it could lead to a coin flip of a series. With that said, I think the overall quality of Milwaukee’s team is slightly higher, leading to a 2-1 series victory.