The Republican National Committee (RNC) says it will officially move portions of its summer nominating convention to Jacksonville, Florida.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous occasion in the great city of Jacksonville,” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement on Thursday.
She continued, “Not only does Florida hold a special place in President Trump’s heart as his home state, but it is crucial in the path for victory in 2020.”
“We look forward to bringing this great celebration and economic boon to the Sunshine State in just a few short months,” she added.
We are thrilled to hold @realDonaldTrump's acceptance of the Republican nomination in the great city of Jacksonville!
— Ronna McDaniel (@RonnaMcDaniel) June 12, 2020
Not only is Florida his home state, it is crucial to victory.
We look forward to bringing this great celebration and economic boon to the Sunshine State!
Thursday’s announcement comes two weeks after President Donald Trump threatened to re-locate the convention location from Charlotte, North Carolina due to that state’s coronavirus restrictions, as IJR reported.
In a tweet on Memorial Day, Trump said, “Unfortunately, Democrat Governor, [Roy Cooper] is still in Shutdown mood [and] unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed in full attendance. In other words, we would be spending millions of dollars building the Arena to a very high standard without even knowing if the Democrat Governor would allow the Republican Party to fully occupy the space.”
…full attendance in the Arena. In other words, we would be spending millions of dollars building the Arena to a very high standard without even knowing if the Democrat Governor would allow the Republican Party to fully occupy the space. Plans are being….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
…to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican National Convention site. This is not something I want to do. Thank you, and I LOVE the people of North Carolina!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
He added, that if Cooper did not allow the Republicans to hold their convention without a limited capacity, “We will be reluctantly forced to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican National Convention site. This is not something I want to do.”
Last week, Cooper told the RNC that it should plan told hold a “scaled-down” convention.
“With the Nation, the State of North Carolina and the City of Charlotte still under states of emergency, it’s important to conduct the RNC convention accordingly. As much as we want the conditions surrounding COVID-19 to be favorable enough for you to hold the Convention you describe in late August, it is very unlikely,” he said.
“Neither public officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek,” Cooper added.
After Cooper urged the RNC to plan for a limited convention, Trump said the party was “forced” to find a new location.
Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, a place I love. Now, @NC_Governor Roy Cooper and his representatives refuse to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena – Spend millions of dollars, have everybody arrive, and…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2020
…millions of dollars, and jobs, for the State. Because of @NC_Governor, we are now forced to seek another State to host the 2020 Republican National Convention.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2020
“Because of [Gov. Roy Cooper], we are now forced to seek another State to host the 2020 Republican National Convention,” Trump said in a tweet.
