A number of states have called to inquire about hosting the Republican National Convention amid concern about social distancing restrictions at the scheduled site in North Carolina, the party’s chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, said May 26.
Republican officials say they want to keep the convention in Charlotte but are balking because of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s refusal to make promises about the gathering being able to “fully occupy” the convention space in August.
“The president is right to say to the governor, you need to assure us before we lock in all these hotel rooms and we bring all of this revenue to your state that you’re going to let us have this convention,” McDaniel said, during an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”
“There’s a lot of states that are calling the president right now saying, ‘Hey, why don’t you bring that revenue to our state.’”
Cooper hasn’t given the assurances that party officials say they need.
“Every state we talk to is saying, ‘We want to nominate the president here.’ They’re so excited to have that,” McDaniel said later. “But this governor is up for reelection; he hasn’t given us the assurances we need.
“We need to be able to move forward in a concrete way.”
“State health officials are working with the RNC and will review its plans as they make decisions about how to hold the convention in Charlotte,” a Cooper spokesperson said in a statement to The Epoch Times.
“North Carolina is relying on data and science to protect our state’s public health and safety.”
Answers will have to come “sooner rather than later,” a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee (RNC) told The Epoch Times, “or we will be forced to consider other options.”
Vice President Mike Pence identified Texas, Florida, and Georgia as states that have been progressing with reopenings. Officials or party officials from all of those states issued statements asking the RNC to consider them if the convention is moved.
“Florida is committed to ensuring a safe, secure, and successful event for President Trump and all attendees,” said Joe Gruters, chairman of the Florida GOP.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said the state has “world-class facilities, restaurants, hotels, and workforce,” while reaching out to Trump on Twitter to tell him, “Georgia would be honored to safely host the Republican National Convention.”
James Dickey, who heads the Texas Republican Party, said in a statement to news outlets that Texas “would welcome President Trump and the RNC Convention.”
“Until then, based upon Gov. Abbott’s progress in opening Texas, we are on track for our state convention as planned in person in Houston in July,” he said.
