Republican Party Convention
(Photo : Reuters Connect)

The Republican Party Convention will be moved to Jacksonville, Florida in August because North Carolina has refused to hold the event.


North Carolina Cites COVID-19 measures 

North Carolina State Governor Roy Cooper did not accept a request by President Trump to host the party's convention originally scheduled on August 24-27 in Charlotte, North Carolina, citing COVID-19 measures. The Republican National Committee therefore announced on Thursday that the event will be held in Jacksonville, Florida instead.

According to a report published by Bloomberg, the convention would go against North Carolina's COVID-19 measures such as social-distancing and mandatory wearing of facemasks.

Meanwhile, Republican National Committee Chairperson Ronna McDaniel said that Florida does not only have a special place to Pres. Trump's heart because it is his home state but it is crucial in the path of his victory in the upcoming 2020 U.S. Presidential election.

Trump and Pence to Accept Nomination in Jacksonville, Florida


Following the changes of venues for the Republican Party Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, Pres. Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence will accept the nominations in the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena which can hold around 15,000 delegates.

However, despite these changes, there are still plans to hold convention business in Charlotte because of the existing contractual obligations between the Republican National Committee and the city according to a published report by NBC News.

Gov. Ron De Santis, Florida's state governor, said that he is honored to hold the Republican Party Convention. He is a known ally of the party. Meanwhile, Jacksonville is one of the biggest cities in the U.S. and is led by a Republican Mayor Lenny Curry who was the former head of the state's Republican Party.

Additionally, the Republican National Committee did not yet announce the plans during the Republican Party Convention to ensure the safety and health of the delegates. But initial plans include checking of temperature, social distancing, and sanitizing stations.

Democrats Criticize the Republican Party's Plan to Hold Convention


The Democratic National Committee also has an initial plan to have the nomination in Milwaukee in July, but they chose to postpone the event because of the threat of COVID-19. Democratic Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said that the party is most likely to hold the convention virtually.

He also said: "I want the Democratic convention to happen. But I also want to ensure that there isn't stress on the public health system, nor put the delegates and others that come to the convention in harm's way."

Meanwhile, the DNC criticized the plan of RNC and Pres. Trump to hold the convention. DNC said that the plan to move the Republican Party Convention in Florida is to satisfy Trump's ego while disregarding health sand safety amid the global pandemic.

Aside from Florida, other locations were considered also. These were Nashville, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, and Savannah, Georgia.

Check these out!