Milwaukee chosen over Houston as site of 2020 Democratic National Convention

HOUSTON – Milwaukee beat out Houston Monday as the host of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, according to the Associated Press.

Houston was named as a finalist for the convention site along with Milwaukee, Denver and Miami in June 2018. 

Houston and Milwaukee were the favorites to land the convention after Denver withdrew as a finalist citing scheduling conflicts.

The DNC will be held at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee from July 13-16, 2020.

In a series of tweets, the Democratic Party said the strength of trade unions and Democratic gains in the 2018 election were major reasons for the decision, 

"Trade unions built the state-of-the-art Fiserv Forum," and "After a decade of Republican attacks on working people, labor unions, and communities of color, Democrats saw some of our biggest and most historic gains in Wisconsin in 2018 with the election of (Gov. Tony Evers) and (Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes)," two tweets read.

So why not Houston? Some are saying that the ongoing dispute between Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston firefighters union over the implementation of Proposition B pay increase didn't help the Bayou City.

"I think the fact that the DNC picked Milwaukee shows that this is just one more consequence that this mayor continues to use his vindictive, retaliatory actions against not only firefighters and their families, but the voters of Houston," Patrick Lancton, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association said.

The HPFFA tweeted, ".@WSJ reporter @KThomasDC confirms that national @DNC leaders are not impressed by @SylvesterTurner's ongoing political and legal war on Houston firefighters."

And the association also tweeted, "As @SylvesterTurner often observes, "Elections have consequences." He just refuses to accept the will of Houston voters in his ongoing political and legal war on Houston firefighters. Now the nation is watching."

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released a statement, saying, 

“We are deeply disappointed that the DNC will not bring its 2020 national convention to Houston. Our bid brought together people from both major political parties, and from no particular party, to show that our welcoming city represents the demographic future of America -- and has unmatched experience with putting on mega-events. As Houston has proven many times with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Astros World Series Championship parade, the Super Bowl and the Final Four, the nation’s most diverse and fourth most-populous city is an effective host to the world, relying on great people from the private, non-profit, institutional and government sectors to unite and say ‘howdy’ in more than 100 languages.

"As the late President George H.W. Bush wrote to me in June in support of our bid, ‘Our facilities and hotels are world class, but it’s really our people – the spirit of our fellow Houstonians – that makes the key difference. No one works harder; no one is friendlier or more welcoming.’ We wish the DNC convention planners well and look forward to using our facilities for other highly successful activities in July 2020.”

The Harris County Democratic Party released a statement that read,

"The Harris County Democratic Party is incredibly disappointed that Houston was not chosen to host the Democratic National Convention in 2020. 

"We’d like to thank everyone who worked so hard to showcase the unparalleled diversity and culture of our hometown.  Texas is a battleground state and our 38 electoral votes will change the roadmap to winning the White House. 

"We send our sincere congratulations and support to the city of Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Democrats. Getting the Convention is not just an opportunity to showcase your state but also a massive economic boon for the location and we wish Wisconsin all the best."

The 2016 convention was held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

The 2020 Republican National Convention will be held at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, from Aug. 24-27, 2020.

Click here for more coverage from the Milwaukee NBC station.


About the Authors:

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.