Salt Lake City is one of four finalists as the Republican National Committee seeks a host city for its 2024 presidential nominating convention.
Also in the running to host the evening are Nashville, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh, according to Politico.
Utah GOP chairman Carson Jorgensen was elated that Salt Lake made the final four. Originally, eight cities submitted bids to host.
“It is an amazing opportunity for the state to host the 2024 National Convention. We look forward to highlighting the state on a national stage,” said Jorgensen.
He said “an enormous amount of work” has gone into the bid, so far. The effort by the Utah GOP, Visit Salt Lake and others could reap huge benefits for the state.
“Anytime we can bring an estimated $200-plus million into the local economy, that is a great thing for everyone!” Jorgensen said.
This is the second time Salt Lake has been a finalist to host the convention. In 2012, Utah was passed over in favor of Tampa. In 2016, Salt Lake’s bid was eliminated from contention early in the process.
Salt Lake City and Nashville are both in solidly-Republican states, while Milwaukee and Pittsburgh are in swing states that could prove crucial to the outcome of the 2024 election. Neither party has held its national convention outside of a battleground state since 2004.
Salt Lake City’s 2012 bid was derailed due to a lack of hotel rooms near the convention site, which is a significant factor in the selection process.
The 26-story Grand Hyatt convention hotel with 700 rooms should be operational by then. Bid organizers believe that should help Salt Lake City immensely.
Members of the Republican National Committee will begin deliberations on selecting a host city when they meet in Salt Lake City next month for their winter meetings.
