The Republican National Committee announced that it will host its 2024 convention in Milwaukee as the party hopes to retake Wisconsin in the next presidential election.
The RNC released a statement saying its committee members picked the city unanimously.
“I am excited to announce Milwaukee as the host city for the 2024 Republican National Convention,” RNC chair Ronna McDaniel said. “Milwaukee is a world-class city, and we are eager to see it shine in the spotlight come 2024. I look forward to working with the members of the Republican National Committee, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, the Milwaukee Host Committee, and Visit Milwaukee to deliver an incredible convention for our Party and nominate the next President of the United States.”
Former president Donald Trump shocked many when he won Wisconsin in 2016, making him the first Republican presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan in 1984 to win the state. President Joe Biden won the state in 2020.
But Mr Trump’s false claims about the election being stolen extended to Wisconsin. He reportedly asked state House speaker Robin Vos to decertify the 2020 presidential election results in the states, which is not possible. When Mr Vos rebuffed him, Mr Trump endorsed Mr Vos’s primary challenger.
Mr Trump will hold a rally in Wisconsin tonight. Republicans are hoping to win back the governorship from incumbent Democrat Tony Evers and hold onto Republican Senator Ron Johnson’s seat this year. Recently, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, who is challenging Mr Johnson, received a boost in his campaign when his other Democratic challengers dropped out of the race to endorse him.
In 2024, Wisconsin will not only hold a presidential election; Republicans will also try to flip the seat of Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin, the first openly lesbian Senator who won reelection overwhelmingly in 2018.