Chicago has been chosen to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention at the United Center from Aug. 19–22.
“Chicago is a great choice to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention,” President Joe Biden said in a statement on the Democratic National Committee’s website.
Though he has made no formal announcement, Biden has indicated he plans to run for reelection. At 80, he is the oldest president in U.S. history. If reelected in 2024, he would be 86 at the end of his second term.
During its February winter meeting, the Democratic National Committee unanimously passed a resolution declaring its “full and complete support” for a second term for Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
No Democrat who currently holds an office has entered the 2024 presidential race.
Currently, Biden and his administration are traveling around the country on what the White House calls the “Investing in America” tour, which highlights the infrastructure bill, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and other legislation that Biden has signed into law.
The DNC considers Chicago a stronghold in the Midwestern “Blue Wall” states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, all of which reelected Democratic governors in 2020.
“The 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago will welcome people from across the nation to an unforgettable event highlighting our party’s vision for lifting up working families and those who too often have been left out and left behind,” said Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
According to reports, Pritzker, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a DNC co-chair, and former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot spent more than a year campaigning for the selection.
Lightfoot, who recently lost her bid for reelection to the new mayor-elect, Brandon Johnson, said she is proud her party chose her city for its convention.
“I want to commend all the city government leaders who demonstrated with a proven track record of excellence that by choosing Chicago, the DNC, convention delegates, volunteers, and others would be treated to a first-class experience in our world-class city,” Lightfoot is quoted as saying in the DNC statement.
Their work included a June 2022 trip to Washington, where Pritzker and Lightfoot were joined by state and city officials and business leaders to make their pitch to DNC officials.
Houston, New York, Atlanta Also Considered
The Chicago team bested Houston, New York, and Atlanta.“I am thrilled that Democrats will take the stage in Chicago to share our party’s vision and values,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison.
Chicago’s new mayor said he is ready to welcome the party.
“I look forward to working closely with the DNC to facilitate a spectacular convention that showcases Chicago’s diverse culture, our beautiful lakefront, our renowned hospitality sector, and our best asset: our amazing people,” said Mayor-Elect Johnson.
