MILWAUKEE — The Republican National Committee on Friday officially announced Milwaukee as the host city for the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC).
The committee voted for Milwaukee unanimously.
"Milwaukee is a world-class city, and we are eager to see it shine in the spotlight come 2024. I look forward to working with the members of the Republican National Committee, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, the Milwaukee Host Committee, and Visit Milwaukee," said RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
WATCH: The @GOP has unanimously selected Milwaukee as the site of the 2024 Republican National Convention! pic.twitter.com/gpyGxa01G6
— Wisconsin GOP (@wisgop) August 5, 2022
Friday's announcement details
Friday's announcement followed the Republican National Committee's Summer Meeting in Chicago.
Visit Milwaukee expects the RNC to have an estimated economic impact of just under $200 million and attract nearly 50,000 visitors to Milwaukee.
This is the second time a city has been chosen to host back-to-back conventions and the first since New York City in 1976 and 1980.
WATCH: Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and TMJ4's Charles Benson:
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson spoke during the announcement saying, "my city is ready to show the world what a great destination we are for conventions and tourism. We look forward to the positive economic impact of the Presidential nomination convention, and, as the host city, I am confident all the attendees will find Milwaukee to be a splendid location for the event.”
The Milwaukee Host Committee also made a statement saying, "We are honored to be chosen to present to the world and to the RNC our gracious hospitality, iconic venues and enthusiastic corps of volunteer greeters and guides."
Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee said the following about the announcement: "We’re thrilled to work with the members of the Republican National Committee, the Milwaukee Host Committee, and the City of Milwaukee to put on what we know will be the best Republican National Convention yet.”
WATCH: PolitiFact Wisconsin: Will Milwaukee benefit from the 2024 RNC?
Timeline leading up to announcement:
Wisconsin is a crucial swing state for both Democrats and Republicans. Joe Biden won the state in 2020 after Donald Trump won it in 2016. Milwaukee, while being a Democratic stronghold, has the infrastructure to host large conventions, regardless of the political party involved.
Milwaukee was chosen to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention (DNC), but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the city to hold the convention virtually. It was also a missed opportunity for an economic boost - a benefit the DNC highlighted in their letter to Milwaukee for the 2024 convention. The Democratic National Committee wrote in a letter to the city on July 30, 2021 that this is the "very first step" if Milwaukee's administration was interested in hosting again.
While officially putting Milwaukee in the running for the DNC in September 2021, former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett also expressed interest to the Republicans for the RNC.
By December, the City of Milwaukee officially submitted its bid to host the 2024 RNC.
In March, it came down to Milwaukee and Nashville, Tennessee.
WATCH: Former RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and TMJ4's Charles Benson:
After initial setbacks, on June 1, the Milwaukee Common Council passed 13-0 and Mayor Cavalier Johnson signed the framework agreement for the convention. The plan is used as a way to lay out what thousands of convention goers can expect in terms of services and resources if the RNC were to take place in the Brew City.
Johnson and Milwaukee County Supervisor David Crowley spent time trying to convince Republican officials as they visited Brew City.
On July 15, the GOP Site Selection Committee voted to recommend Milwaukee as the host city for the 2024 convention.
Earlier this week, the Nashville Metro Council deferred to vote on the RNC in the city indefinitely and then withdrew a resolution opposing it, effectively killing the city's chance at hosting. The same council withdrew a similar proposal on July 5. Some on the council said the city didn't need the tourism boost and did not want the added risk of violence.
This week's decision in Nashville left Milwaukee as the sole city bidding for the 50,000-person event.
