RNC has eye on Jacksonville
Report: GOP ‘tentatively settled’ on convention site
WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee is zeroing in on Jacksonville, Florida, as the new site for President Donald Trump to accept the party’s nomination, according to two sources briefed on plans of RNC officials.
The RNC backed out of Charlotte, North Carolina, last week after Gov. Roy Cooper and Mayor Vi Lyles wouldn’t commit to allowing a full convention amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Washington Post first reported that Republicans “tentatively settled” on Jacksonville, citing three unnamed Republican officials.
The Republican National Convention is scheduled for Aug. 24 to 27. Charlotte will still hold some of the business meetings, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said, but the committee is looking for another city for the “celebration.”
In retreating from Charlotte, the RNC cited North Carolina’s social distancing rule that prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people in a room. The law remains in effect during the state’s phased approach to reopening. Republicans seek a “full convention” – one that would allow Trump to address an arena full of supporters like he did four years ago in Cleveland.
Democrats, whose convention is set for Aug. 17 to 20 in Milwaukee, are entertaining a “virtual” convention that would limit the number of people visiting the city.
Republicans scrambled to find a replacement and looked at other cities, including Nashville; Oklahoma City; Dallas; Savannah, Georgia; Orlando, Florida; and Las Vegas for the event. RNC officials toured several locations and planned to tour others.
McDaniel called the Jacksonville news “premature” during an appearance on “The Hugh Hewitt Show” Wednesday, but she confirmed that the Florida city is the leader.
“There’s a couple more things we need to do before we can announce that, but Jacksonville is absolutely in the front-running position,” McDaniel said.
Hurdles remain for Jacksonville, including an assurance of hotel capacity and a sign-off from Trump.
“That’s obviously the biggest concern we have – hotels in any city,” McDaniel said. “One, we need to lock them up before everybody starts jumping in and trying to get hotel rooms. We feel like they have a good allotment of hotel rooms. They’re very inexpensive, which is good. They’re going to be affordable. They’re going to be a little further out if it ends up being there.”
If chosen, Jacksonville would be the venue for Trump’s acceptance speech and perhaps speeches by other top Republicans.
“I’m pretty sure that Jacksonville is the location,” said state Sen. Joe Gruters, who chairs the Florida Republican Party, though stressing it’s “not 100% confirmed.”
He said McDaniel visited Jacksonville this week, along with other top party officials.
“You send the big dogs in to finalize it and say everything is OK,” Gruters said.
Jacksonville‘s mayor, Republican Lenny Curry, lobbied publicly for the convention. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican ally of Trump, also pushed hard for the convention. Florida is a swing state that could prove critical in the election.