Salt Lake City bidding to host the 2024 Republican National Convention – Salt Lake Tribune

(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) - In this July 21, 2016, file photo Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump smiles as he addresses delegates during the final day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Salt Lake City is one of several cities bidding to host the 2024 convention.

| Oct. 28, 2021, 9:15 p.m.

| Updated: Oct. 29, 2021, 4:51 p.m.

The Utah Republican Party wants Salt Lake City to host the partys national convention in 2024.

The party, along with Visit Salt Lake, made their opening pitch to the Republican National Convention in Washington, D.C., earlier this week.

There hasnt been a Republican National Convention west of the Mississippi River since 1996 when it was in San Diego, Carson Jorgensen, chairman of the Utah Republican Party, said.

Salt Lake City was one of three finalists to be the host city for RNC in 2012, losing out to Tampa. Jorgensen says a reason Salt Lake was not selected then was a lack of hotel rooms close to the convention site.

This event is larger than many people realize. We need almost the same capacity as the Olympics, Jorgensen said.

That wont be a hurdle anymore as the Grand Hyatt convention hotel should be up and running by then.

Salt Lake City also bid to host the 2016 Republican convention but was eliminated as a contender early in the process.

At least 7 other cities known to be bidding to host the 2024 GOP event: Las Vegas, Kansas City, Houston, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. Milwaukee was supposed to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention, but COVID-19 forced the party to scale back its plans. Milwaukee officials also are considering a bid to host the Democrats in 2024.

Phoenix, Columbus and Atlanta all are rumored to be considering a bid to host, too.

Mike Deaver, who is helping to lead Salt Lake Citys bid, says the committee was very receptive to the citys message when it made its initial pitch.

We told them theres a reason Utah has done so well in quality of life, economic growth and business environment. Its because of 30 years of Republican leadership. We said they should look for a state with a track record like that, Deaver said.

Hosting the event would be a massive economic shot in the arm for Salt Lake City. Jorgensen says the convention could bring in $250 million or more.

Besides, hosting the convention would be a good warm-up for possibly hosting another Winter Olympic Games in 2030.

Were one of the few red states in the Intermountain West right now. Its almost all blue around us. The GOP is really paying attention to the West right now because every state is going to matter in 2024, Jorgensen said.

As red as Utah is, Salt Lake City is an island of Democratic blue in the state. Deaver says that wont be a hurdle at all.

Both (Salt Lake City) Mayor Erin Mendenhall and (Salt Lake County) Mayor Jenny Wilson told us they are supportive of the effort, Deaver said. They understand what this event would mean from an economic development standpoint.

There is another potential sticky political wicket to consider.

The front-runner to be the GOP nominee in 2024 is currently former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly clashed with Utah Sen. Mitt Romney. How would having Trump accept the 2024 nomination in Romneys home state go over?

Thats not going to be a big deal. They plan these things two or three years in advance. Once its to that point, it doesnt matter who the nominee is, Jorgensen said.

Deaver said 2024 is too far off to even consider at this point.

Were just in round one of a 10-round heavyweight fight. We have a long way to go, but I think weve got a good chance, Deaver said.

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Salt Lake City bidding to host the 2024 Republican National Convention - Salt Lake Tribune