DNC Selects Five Cities for 2028 Presidential Convention, Skips Midterm Event

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has announced its narrowed selection of five cities—Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, and Philadelphia—to potentially host the 2028 presidential convention, scheduled for August 7-10, 2028. This decision comes alongside the DNC's choice to forgo a midterm convention this year, a move that aims to concentrate resources on the upcoming presidential election.

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DNC Chair Ken Martin emphasized the importance of focusing on the 2028 convention as a critical step toward regaining the White House. He stated, “The DNC is proud to be moving forward with our 2028 Democratic National Convention plans, another critical step toward retaking the White House and finally putting an end to Republicans’ betrayal of working families.” DNC Executive Director Roger Lau noted that the decision to skip a midterm convention allows the party to allocate resources more effectively, suggesting that Republicans have been misled into investing in a costly midterm event.

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The DNC's decision to not hold a midterm convention is viewed as a strategic advantage. Lau remarked that Republicans are wasting time and resources on their midterm convention, which could negatively impact their candidates in swing districts. The Republican National Committee (RNC), led by President Donald Trump, plans to hold its own midterm convention, which Trump described as an opportunity to showcase the party's achievements since the 2024 presidential election.

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Financial disparities between the two parties are notable. The RNC reportedly has around $102 million in the bank, while the DNC has approximately $15 million in cash and over $17 million in debt. RNC spokesperson Kiersten Pels criticized the DNC's financial situation, claiming they lack the resources and courage to present their agenda to voters.

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Each of the five cities under consideration has hosted DNC conventions in the past, with Chicago being the most frequent host. Atlanta's inclusion is particularly significant, as Georgia has become a battleground state. The DNC's choice of host city will reflect its strategy to engage voters, especially in light of recent political dynamics in the state.

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Critics of the DNC's strategy argue that skipping the midterm convention may hinder the party's visibility and momentum. Pels stated, “They don’t have the money, and they certainly don’t have the courage to put their radical, failing agenda on full display for voters to reject.” This sentiment reflects concerns that the DNC's approach may not resonate with voters in the upcoming midterms.

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The DNC plans to conduct site visits to each of the five cities this spring to assess their logistical and operational capabilities. The final decision on the host city for the 2028 convention has yet to be announced, but it will be closely watched as a reflection of the party's strategic priorities leading into the next presidential election.

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• “The DNC is proud to be moving forward with our 2028 Democratic National Convention plans, another critical step toward retaking the White House and finally putting an end to Republicans’ betrayal of working families,” — Ken Martin, DNC Chair

The Hill

• “Republicans were baited into wasting time and money on a midterm convention that will sink their swing-seat candidates by tying them directly to Trump’s wildly unpopular policies,” — Roger Lau, DNC Executive Director

The Hill

• “They don’t have the money, and they certainly don’t have the courage to put their radical, failing agenda on full display for voters to reject,” — Kiersten Pels, RNC Spokesperson

The Hill