Southern Democrats urge Biden and DNC to host 2024 convention in Atlanta

January 31, 2023 at 00:59

CNN —A group of Southern Democrats is urging President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee to host its presidential nominating convention in Atlanta, arguing in a letter sent Monday that Biden owes his 2020 victory and a Democratic majority in the Senate to Georgia.
Atlanta is one of the top three cities being considered to host the convention, along with Chicago and New York City, according to a source familiar.
The timing of the letter, which was sent to Biden and DNC chair Jaime Harrison, was strategic.
More than 65 current and former Democratic US senators, members of the US House, governors, mayors and local leaders in Southern states signed the letter, a copy of which was obtained by CNN.
Notable names include Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, Sens.
Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia, Sens.
Tim Kaine and Mark Warner of Virginia, and DNC senior adviser and former senior adviser to the president Cedric Richmond, among many others.
Former Alabama Sen. Doug Jones helped organize the letter, according to the source, and has been leading the effort to rally support for Atlanta’s bid throughout the South.
Warnock helped Democrats maintain their majority by winning a full six-year term last year.
A nominating convention in the city of Atlanta will provide you with a backdrop that reflects your personal values and embodies your vision for America,” the letter reads.
Biden has proposed a drastic shakeup of the 2024 presidential nominating calendar that would add Georgia as an early nominating state.
It breaks with the traditional calendar of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, which Republicans have already locked in as their early state order for 2024.
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