Milwaukee ‘takes lead’ in race for 2024 RNC
Walker joins tour with committee members
Apparently, Milwaukee is making a very good first impression with a Republican site selection committee surveying the city for the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Even as the committee was being shepherded to sites around the area Thursday, Politico reported: “Milwaukee takes lead in competition for 2024 GOP convention.”
The report noted that former Gov. Scott Walker was on the Milwaukee tour with the committee members, while Reince Priebus could be picked as chair of the local organizing committee.
Priebus has long ties to the state and served as Republican National Committee chair as well as White House chief of staff for former President Donald Trump.
Priebus was among those who attended an opening night event Wednesday when the committee got to Milwaukee.
Thursday, Walker tweeted a photo of him and Priebus standing court side at Fiserv Forum.
Milwaukee was touted as “turnkey” city, given its experience in preparing for the 2020 Democratic National Convention and key assets like Fiserv Forum and the Summerfest grounds.
Local organizers have said they have around $30 million in pledges and are planning to raise around $65 million to stage the event, which could lure up to 45,000 people to the city.
The report added that the visiting delegation was impressed by Milwaukee Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
Milwaukee is a Democratic stronghold in a state Republicans are eager to win in 2024.
Asked Wednesday at a campaign event about the convention, Johnson, a Democrat, said he wanted “the eyeballs of the world to be on our city” to draw more funding and people to Milwaukee.
“I’ve been excited about welcoming the RNC just like I was excited about welcoming the DNC here, because the economic impact will be great and will put money right into the pockets of the people who live and work here in the city of Milwaukee,” Johnson said. “I’ve said it a number of times: It’s not about red, it’s not about blue. It’s about green and using those dollars as an infusion of resources into the pockets of our workers here in the city of Milwaukee.”
The other finalist cities are Salt Lake City, which RNC officials recently toured, and Nashville, where the site selection committee may be headed next week.
A decision is expected by August. “There are three great cities in the running to host the Republican National Convention and each has submitted a strong, competitive bid,” said RNC senior adviser Richard Walters. “We look forward to continuing the bidding process and delivering an incredible convention.”