Jacksonville chosen for Trump GOP convention speech

TALLAHASSEE — Jacksonville has been selected to host the celebration marking President Donald Trump’s acceptance of his party’s nomination for reelection, the Republican National Committee chairwoman said late Thursday.

The move drew praise from Florida Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, a staunch Trump ally, and concerns about safety from Florida’s Democratic Party chairman about the safety of holding such an event amid the coronavirus pandemic. It raises Florida, already a key swing state that could be key to victory, to an even higher level on the political stage this fall.

Orlando had been on the list of possible cities to hold the speech, but Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings balked at the notion, saying he was concerned about the already overtaxed law enforcement agencies who have been dealing with the George Floyd protests and the other potential costs of holding such an event in Orlando.

Ronna McDaniel made the announcement a day after saying that Jacksonville was a front-runner to hold the event. The governor of North Carolina, the official host of this summer’s Republican National Convention, had balked at promising Trump a full-blown convention in Charlotte free from social distancing measures during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous occasion in the great city of Jacksonville,” McDaniel said. “Not only does Florida hold a special place in President Trump’s heart as his home state, but it is crucial in the path to victory in 2020. We look forward to bringing this great celebration and economic boon to the Sunshine State in just a few short months.”

McDaniel said the event would be held at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, which holds 15,000 people. She said more details would be released in the coming weeks. The party’s more routine business, including discussions over the platform, will still be held in Charlotte because of contractual obligations.

The RNC had spent the last week scouting locations after North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper rejected Trump’s demand that the convention be allowed to take place Aug. 24-27 without social distancing measures.

“Florida is honored to host this special event where we will celebrate the re-nomination of President Donald J. Trump,” DeSantis said in a statement. “Jacksonville is a great city that will showcase Florida’s energy, facilities, entrepreneurship and commitment to bring together the delegates of the Republican Party at a historic time in our nation’s history.”

But Florida Democratic Party chair Terri Rizzo reacted with caution.

“First, let me be clear that I sincerely hope that the Republican Party is successful in keeping everyone safe at their events,” she said in a statement. “However, I am deeply concerned that the impetus for moving their highest profile event to Florida was because Donald Trump wanted to give a speech to a crowd of people not social distancing — and, given his previous public events, likely not wearing masks.”