Charlotte City Council Will Pursue Hosting 2020 RNC

By KEN KOONTZ

CHARLOTTE, NC— By a narrow, single vote margin Monday night, Charlotte City Council voted to continue pursuit of Charlotte’s bid to host the 2020 Republican National Convention. The 6-5 vote came after a packed City Council chamber was opened up for public comments that came mostly from protests that urged elected officials to withdraw from making a final application to bring the RNC2020 to the Queen City.

The focus of opposition was likelihood that President Donald Trump would be the party’s nominee for re-election. Protestors and even most City Council persons against proceeding with the City’s bid had based their opposition primarily on President Trump’s initial campaign for the GOP’s 2016 nomination and what they commonly describe as his divisive tenure as the nation’s leader and Commander In Chief. Many have characterized his latest actions following his private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “treasonous.” Most opponents viewed the City Council’s vote to bring the convention here would be perceived as a Trump endorsement.

District Five Councilman Larken Egleston cast the deciding 6-5 vote noting that his decision in no way implies endorsement of Donald Trump. Fellow Democrats Greg Phipps, James Mitchell and Julie Eiselt joined Republican counterparts Ed Driggs and Tariq Bokhari to cast the deciding “yes” votes.

City Council’s 6-5 vote is said to mirror the nation’s split created by the Trump Presidency. Mayor Vi Lyles had already publicly staked out her endorsement to finalize a City bid to bring the Convention to Charlotte. Like others who favored the move, all agreed that it was not meant as an endorsement of the President, but rather a good opportunity to showcase Charlotte’s strength as a city that positively reflects the ability of its political leadership and citizens to work together for a common good even when views and positions are diverse and at odds. First-term District Two Councilman Justin Harlow was vehement in his opposition as he described an invitation to the 2020 RNC and Donald Trump as equivalent to inviting the Ku Klux Klan to Charlotte.

Charlotte and Las Vegas are the only city’s left in the bid process and Charlotte is considered the odds-on favorite to win the bid. The Republican National Committee is expected to make its selection later this week. Mayor Vi Lyles said she is set to fly out to the Committee’s summer meeting in Austin to accept the bid if Charlotte wins it. But, she has no intentions of making a welcoming address when they get here in two years. Mayor Lyles says she is, however, confident of a good Convention experience because of such assurance from City law enforcement authorities. She says Police Chief Kerr Putney has assured her of that. She quotes that their combination of training and forces coupled with that of state and Federal authorities solidifies his assurance. Financial support from the RNC, the Federal government and local private sector will all combine to help secure a positive 2020 RNC.