Could the Republican National Convention Happen in Orlando?

Could the Republican National Convention Happen in Orlando? DeSantis Calls It “Logical”

June 4, 2020  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday , he has spoken with Republican Party leadership about relocating the party’s summer convention to Orlando.

The City Beautiful is rumored to be among several cities being considered, including Jacksonville, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; and Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Republican National Convention is scheduled to happen in August in Charlotte, North Carolina, which hosted the Democratic National Convention in 2012, but tensions have grown between the GOP and North Carolina state leaders because of coronavirus restrictions on fully utilizing the arena.

President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday that North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, was forcing the GOP to “seek another state to host” the convention.  With the president now threatening to relocate the convention, other states are now scrambling to pitch hosting the event.  DeSantis told reporters Wednesday that Orlando would be a “logical location.”

A convention in Orlando would be a bit of a homecoming for President Trump. He hosted his re-election campaign launch rally June 18, 2019 at Amway Center in Downtown Orlando.

Charles Hart, Chairman of Orange County Republicans, said with the political and electoral weight carried in Central Florida, Orlando is a more logical pick to relocate the convention.  “Not only could it be good strategy, by getting to know voters you need to win, beyond strategy it makes common sense,”

Hart continued by saying that despite the short timing, he is confident that Orlando could pull it off.  “We are the City Beautiful, so Orlando is internationally known for its hospitality, for its hotels, for its food, for its entertainment, and for its people,”   All attributes that are in full supply and low demand, perhaps making Orlando even more enticing to a sudden large event.

Spokespersons for the city of Orlando and Orange County say they have not been approached by GOP representatives about hosting the event.