Milwaukee is currently under the stewardship of Mayor Cavalier Johnson, once fondly referred to by his playful moniker ‘Chevy.’ Just a few years ago, he was an understated alderman, yet now he stands in the limelight getting praise from numerous media platforms such as the New York Times, C-SPAN, Wall Street Journal, and The Associated Press. Many view Johnson as genial, well-spoken, earnest, not to mention his youthful appearance and infectious grinning countenance.
Becoming a host for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee has paved his path to the national media stage. His journey to executive office has been remarkable, he was an unexpected winner for Common Council Presidency in 2020, took up the role of acting mayor in 2021, was chosen to complete Tom Barrett’s term as mayor in 2022 and gloriously won a full term in April 2024, securing an impressive ‘80% of the vote,’ a fact he delightfully shares with media.
The 37-year-old Johnson is now seen as a ‘brilliant youthful mayor’ and an ‘omnipresent advocate for the city’. The Times has reported on him making frequent appearances at festivals, parades, and various other events, always ready to meet the people of his city, shake hands, and stir up the crowd.
His dealings with the national media have shone a light on some key aspects of his leadership, many alike, including, importantly, his pivotal role in obtaining the convention for Milwaukee. Reportedly brushed off by critics from his Democratic-majority home city, he garnered attention by detailing his personal journey into politics and his experiences growing up in Milwaukee to the selection committee.
Certainly, there were doubts from his fellow Democrats about hosting the Republican National Convention, as he shared with C-SPAN. His willingness to transcend party lines shed light on his drive to put Milwaukee on the map. Over 18 months, he coordinated diligently on the convention’s security with various departments including Milwaukee police and fire, the Secret Service, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.
Johnson spoke about his commitment to public safety, describing the extensive number of meetings and the many subcommittees developed to cover each facet of it. Putting Milwaukee under the international spotlight was a significant achievement, and he encouraged convention attendees to immerse themselves in local culture, including indulging in Friday night fish fries and exploring Milwaukee’s neighborhoods.
Significant publicity has been drawn towards Johnson’s successful tenure as mayor, and consequently, the decrease in crime rates experienced by the city code. Although constrained by state gun laws, he passionately pointed out the continued fall in criminal activity. He proclaimed to CNN, ‘Despite the restrictions on tougher gun control laws by state law, we’ve witnessed a decline in crime.’
His ability to operate in a bipartisan manner is not just reflected in his efforts to secure the Republican convention but also in his successful win of Republican support for increased revenue sharing and local sales tax in Milwaukee. His political aptitude and capacity to form relationships across party lines has not gone unnoticed.
Dale Kooyenga, former Republican state legislator and current president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, complimented Johnson’s proactive approach, detailing Johnson’s efforts to establish connections with counterparts far from his own political zip code. Johnson’s bipartisan approach resonated with the Wall Street Journal’s John McCormick, who quoted Republicans praising the mayor’s cross-party political bridge-building.
In a unique twist, Johnson revealed in a story by WPR that his influences span across party lines. While he idolizes former President Barack Obama and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., he was also deeply impacted by a speech by former Republican President George W. Bush, delivered at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks. This, Johnson said, had a profound influence on his decision to seek public office.
The abundant national attention and his rising prominence in Wisconsin’s Democratic Party have caused people to wonder about his political ambitions beyond mayoralty. When asked by McCormick if he saw a future beyond being mayor, Johnson did not shy away from indicating his interest in higher office.
His ambition is even more evident as he explained in the WPR story, where Johnson exclaimed, ‘Would I be interested in running for governor one day? Absolutely. Absolutely, I would.’ The statewide landscape seems primed for his emergence, with Governor Tony Evers, a fellow Democrat, unlikely to seek a third term in 2026.
Although Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has revealed his aspirations for the gubernatorial post, the rising star Cavalier Johnson, engrossed with national recognition, appears ready to supersede Crowley in pursuit of the governorship. Perseverance is a highlighted trait of Johnson’s political journey, and this trait may serve him well in his quest for the governor’s seat.
His tenacity was underlined in the WPR story, recounting his political journey where he endured early losses in his attempts to join the Milwaukee County Board in 2011 and 2012. As Eyon Biddle, union leader, and former Milwaukee County Board member observed, ‘His early races were not successful, where many would have backed off, he persisted and chased his vision.’
Johnson proved his resolve and tenacity by continuing to strive for his goal, overcoming his initial setbacks, and consequently finding himself comfortably positioned on the national stage. His story illustrates his relentless pursuit of his vision for himself, as he continues to capture more eyeballs across the nation.