Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers found himself in a tough spot when he attempted to declare his state’s party delegates for Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Evers, a Democrat, faced a hostile crowd of Chicago Bears fans who were not pleased with his sports reference to their arch-rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
The rivalry between the Bears and the Packers is one of the oldest and most intense in the NFL, dating back over a century. The two teams have a storied history of competition, and their fans have a deep-seated animosity towards each other. This was evident as Evers, surrounded by Wisconsin delegates wearing cheesehead hats, struggled to make his declaration amidst a chorus of boos from the Chicago crowd.
Despite the hostile reception, Evers soldiered on and attempted to list off the major sports teams in his state, including the University of Wisconsin Badgers and the Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers. However, when it came time to announce the delegation’s vote for Harris, the governor stumbled over his words, prompting laughter and encouragement from the crowd.
Evers‘ difficulty in making the declaration was met with a mix of amusement and support from those around him. The governor’s repeated stops and starts, as he tried to gather his thoughts and compose himself, only added to the tension in the room. Eventually, after a few false starts, Evers was able to announce the delegation’s vote for Harris, albeit with some difficulty.
This incident highlighted the deep-seated rivalry between the Bears and the Packers, and the passion that fans have for their respective teams. It also showcased the challenges that politicians face when trying to navigate sports allegiances in a public setting.
Governor Evers, who has been in office since 2019, has faced his fair share of challenges during his tenure. From urging the Wisconsin Supreme Court to overturn rulings on absentee ballot drop boxes to vetoing multiple bills passed by the Republican-led Legislature, Evers has not shied away from controversial decisions.
In the end, Evers‘ struggle to declare his state’s party delegates at the DNC serves as a reminder of the power of sports allegiances and the intense rivalries that exist between teams and their fans. It also highlights the challenges that politicians face when trying to navigate these allegiances in a public setting.
