Politics & Government
Gov. Lee Interested In Bringing GOP Convention To Nashville
Sen. Marsha Blackburn also supports the city's hosting the event.
By Nate Rau, Tennessee Lookout
June 2, 2020
Gov. Bill Lee is interested in rerouting the Republican National Convention from Charlotte, where the event has faced questions from Democratic political leaders, to Nashville this summer, a source confirmed to Tennessee Lookout.
Find out what's happening in Nashvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp President and CEO Butch Spyridon said he has not had any discussions with the GOP about moving the event here.
“We are aware of the interest from Gov. Lee’s office. We have not had any official contact with the RNC at this time,” said Spyridon.
Find out what's happening in Nashvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Politico first reported that GOP leaders planned to visit Nashville this week for a tour in advance of possibly moving the event, which typically attracts thousands of people.
According to Politico, Nashville is one of several locations being considered. Las Vegas, Orlando, Jacksonville and Georgia are other options according to the Politico story.
Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn posted on Twitter shortly after news of the discussions broke on Politico, “We’d love to have the GOP Convention in Nashville!”
Nashville is in phase two of Mayor John Cooper’s reopening plan. Currently small gatherings are allowed up to 25 people.
National reporting has indicated both conventions are working to figure out how to hold their election year event with Democrats reportedly pondering a virtual event without in-person attendees.
The GOP has been forced to reconsider Charlotte as a convention site as Gov. Roy Cooper has been resistant to a large scale gathering, and the state’s top health official said a packed event is unlikely to happen because of safety concerns around COVID-19.
Tennessee Lookout is seeking a comment from Lee’s administration and from Ryman Hospitality, which operates the city’s other large convention space, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/02/republicans-nashville-potential-convention-site-296232
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit network of state government news sites supported by grants and a coalition of donors.