The Sconi

Milwaukee is one step closer to being the host venue for the Republican National Convention after the party’s site selection committee unanimously selected the city as the recommended place for the 2024 convention.

Taken earlier this month, the committee’s action directly pit Milwaukee against primary challenger Nashville, Tenn., which was previously thought to be the frontrunner for hosting the convention; a recent report from FOX 11 News said.

“We are one step closer to hosting the GOP’s 2024 national convention,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson tweeted. “This is good news for Milwaukee hospitality workers who’ve been hit hard by COVID. While I take issue with the Republican platform, we will be good hosts.”

Even with Milwaukee being a longtime democratic stronghold and some citizens not hesitating to express their disapproval over the idea of GOP leaders from across the country all gathering in the city, Johnson said he is excited about the level of commerce and tourism the gathering could mean for the state, despite his disagreements with the political party; the FOX 11 report said.

The official decision on which city will host the convention is expected to he announced over the next two weeks in Chicago, but city leaders admit they like their chances.

Milwaukee was tabbed by Democrats to host the 2020 convention, but the coronavirus pandemic forced that gathering to be held nearly entirely online, with President Joe Biden ultimately accepting the nomination in Delaware. City leaders reasoned that their preparations for the Democratic convention put them in the best position to now host a similar event, albeit centering on the other party.

Political pundits anticipate Wisconsin being critical to the final outcome of the 2024 election, while Tennessee has not backed a Democrat for president since 1996. Over the past two decades, Republicans have placed their nominating convention in swing states, including North Carolina, Ohio and Florida.

Nashville likely fell out of its front-running status because local officials and representatives have expressed concerns over the safety of the event and the message it sends, a recent WSAU report said. Similarly, some in Wisconsin have expressed apprehension about hosting the same political party that caused and created the Jan. 6 incident in Washington, D.C., but in the end Johnson easily overcame any such reservations.