Jacksonville, Fla., is in the lead to host the splashy keynote events for the Republican National Convention, slated for Aug 24-27, according to Politico.
Charlotte, N.C., has been in negotiations with the Republican National Committee for two years to host the convention. But President Donald Trump last week said he might pull the event from the city because North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has not guaranteed his state will allow a packed stadium in the wake of the COVID crisis. The stalemate might result in a two-city convention, with procedural work in one location and TV-oriented events--such as the nomination acceptance speeches—in another. The Charlotte convention was at one time expected to draw 50,000 people to the city and generate more than $150 million in economic benefits:
Jacksonville has a “99 percent” chance of hosting the Republican National Convention's keynote events after local and state officials made a case in behind-the-scenes negotiations that the city had enough hotel rooms to accommodate such a large event.
“While no final decision has been made by the RNC we understand Jacksonville is a front runner,” Republican Party of Florida Chair Joe Gruters, co-chair of President Donald Trump’s 2016 Florida campaign, tweeted Wednesday. “This certainly has been generating a lot of attention and excitement. We continue to believe that Florida would be the best place for the convention.”
A person familiar with the process said that unless there is a “huge blowup,” Jacksonville will host part of the convention, including Trump’s speech to accept his nomination … Politico
