ATLANTA — The city of Atlanta is one of four finalist cities vying for the 2024 Democratic National Convention. That convention could have a big impact on Atlanta’s economy and on Georgia politics.
Mayor Andre Dickens led Democratic National Committee delegates off a bus and through a phalanx of Atlanta Hawks cheerleaders and a drumline as they began their tour of State Farm Arena.
Channel 2′s Richard Elliott learned the arena along with the Georgia World Congress Center and Mercedes-Benz Stadium are all a part of the proposal package. Also included are the large numbers of hotels, restaurants, bars and attractions located within a mile of State Farm Arena.
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Atlanta is competing against Houston, New York and Chicago.
“We’re just so excited that this body has selected Atlanta, Georgia to be one of the finalists to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention,” Dickens said.
DNC Chair Jamie Harrison, whose mother lives in nearby Smyrna, said Georgia’s new prominence as a battleground state could play into their decision.
“Georgia is right at the center of a lot of the political activity in this country,” Harrison said. “So, I think it’s well place, and it’s part of the reason why Atlanta is one of the finalist in the selection process.”
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Atlanta last hosted the Democratic Convention in 1988 when Mike Dukakis took the nomination.
Channel 2 political analyst Bill Crane attended that convention at the old Omni Coliseum.
He believes Atlanta is well-position to win the event due to its convention infrastructure and current political standing.
“You’re not going to go to places you already have,” Crane said. “You’re going to use a convention to convert people, and that’s one of the reasons Atlanta will stand out as a potential.”
The DNC delegates will be in Atlanta for two days. Harrison said they expect to make their final decision by the end of the year or the beginning of the next.
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