Republican officials are poised to choose Milwaukee to host their 2024 national convention, with the party’s site selection committee voting in favor of the city, a Democratic stronghold in a Midwest battleground.
But the decision is not final and the Republican National Committee must approve the choice during its summer meeting early next month.
Richard Walters, a senior adviser for the R.N.C., said the decision “is a testament to the forthright and professional behavior embraced by Milwaukee’s city leaders throughout the process.” He added that “a final decision will be made” in the coming weeks.
Nashville was also a finalist and could still be selected, if city officials approve a plan later this month to host the 2024 convention. But some local officials there have made it clear that they do not want to welcome Republicans to the area.
Wisconsin is a swing state that Joseph R. Biden Jr. won in 2020 after Donald J. Trump captured it in 2016, and political strategists believe that holding the convention there will help Republicans make inroads with voters.
Milwaukee also hosted the 2020 Democratic convention, but it was largely turned into a virtual event because it was held during the height of the pandemic.
In their bid for the Republican convention, Milwaukee officials emphasized that preparing for the 2020 convention made them more ready to hold a sprawling political event that could attract as many as 50,000 visitors. The host committee expects to raise $65 million for the days-long event, which will be held in July or August.
