Both the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times are reporting Chicago will be hosting the DNC Convention in 2024. New York and Atlanta were the other finalists.
In announcing Chicago as the host city, the DNC cited the Midwestern “blue wall” of states — Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota — as crucial to Biden’s 2020 victory and to Democratic midterm victories last year.
”Chicago is a great choice to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention,” said Biden said in a statement.
Governor JB Pritzker and the IL Dems lobbied extensively for the spot since Pritzker took over the governor’s chair in 2019. He appeared confident to land the DNC Convention location after Brandon Johnson’s historic mayoral victory last week. Women’s reproductive rights are upfront and center in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Moreover, Pritzker believes the city can underwrite the $100M cost, not to mention he collaborated with other midwestern governors, mayors, and elected officials in Congress.
“The combination of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois has voted to send a Democrat to the White House since 1992 with only one exception: In 2016, Donald Trump’s unexpected victory relied upon 80,000 votes in just three states, including fewer than 34,000 votes combined in Michigan and Wisconsin,” the letter said. “That single exception proves the rule: When the future of the country hangs in the balance, we cannot afford to overlook the Midwest.”
In addition to Pritzker, letter signatories included Govs. Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Tim Walz of Minnesota, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Illinois’ Democratic congressional delegation and mayors from Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Detroit and Louisville.
This will be an opportunity for many progressives to debut on a national stage, including Johnon and Pritzker, who has been dropping hints of a 2028 run.
Chicago will be a good venue, lots to offer attendees. Congrats to the city of Chicago!