Georgia governor makes GOP convention pitch after Trump threatens to move it from NC
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp made a pitch to host the GOP convention after President Donald Trump threatened to pull it from North Carolina.
Trump said the Republican National Convention could be moved out of Charlotte unless Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper of N.C. guarantees it will be allowed to operate with full attendance due to coronavirus restrictions.
Kemp, a Republican, tweeted at the president Tuesday morning, touting Georgia’s ability to host the large event.
“With world-class facilities, restaurants, hotels, and workforce, Georgia would be honored to safely host the Republican National Convention. We hope you will consider the Peach State,” Kemp tweeted to Trump.
Trump tweeted Monday that Cooper should immediately notify the Republican party whether the convention set for Aug. 24-27 at the Spectrum Center can be fully occupied or else “we will be reluctantly forced to find, with all the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republic National Convention site.”
In North Carolina, the state is in Cooper’s Phase Two of reopening with indoor gatherings limited to 10 people. The convention and related events were predicted to bring 50,000 people to Charlotte, according to the Charlotte Observer. Cooper responded to Trump on Twitter through a spokesperson saying state health officials are working with RNC organizers.
Other states also are pitching to host the convention, including Texas, which Vice President Mike Pence mentioned as a possibility, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
“We think of Texas. We think of Florida, Georgia — the last two states I visited last week — that have made tremendous progress on reopening their communities,” Pence said on the Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends.”
Texas GOP Chairman James Dickey told CNN the state party would welcome the GOP convention, the Star-Telegram reported.
“Until then, based upon Governor Abbott’s progress in opening Texas, we are on track for our State Convention as planned in person in Houston in July,” Dickey said.
This story was originally published May 26, 2020 at 11:36 AM with the headline "Georgia governor makes GOP convention pitch after Trump threatens to move it from NC."