Democrats have narrowed the list of potential host cities for their 2028 presidential convention to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia as their party looks ahead to a wide-open primary to succeed Republican President Donald Trump.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said Thursday in a statement the cities put forward "incredibly strong bids." Martin promises the August 2028 convention will be an "inspiring celebration" of his party's future nominee. A final decision is expected to be made later this year by party leaders.
Democrats haven't specified why Atlanta and Chicago were eliminated. Officials visited all five cities in April and May, considering logistical and fundraising capacity among other factors.
Democrats on Thursday narrowed the list of potential host cities for their 2028 presidential convention to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia as their party looks ahead to a wide-open primary to succeed President Donald Trump.
"We couldn't be more thrilled. And a convention is not only about charting a path to the White House, but it's about charting a path forward for our party and for our country. And we think Denver is well suited to tell a great story about what Democratic success can mean when we elect a Democrat to the White House in 2028," Shad Murib, Colorado Democratic Party Chair said.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement the cities put forward "incredibly strong bids," and he promised the convention would be an "inspiring celebration of our party's future nominee."
A final decision is expected to be made later this year by party leaders. Republicans have already chosen Houston for the site of their 2028 convention.
The Democratic convention, scheduled for Aug. 7-10, 2028, traditionally gives the party a chance to formally introduce its nominee to the country, rally the base and kick-start the most intense period of campaigning ahead of the general election.
The party didn't specify why Atlanta and Chicago, which was the site of the 2024 convention, were eliminated. Officials visited all five cities in April and May, considering logistical and fundraising capacity among other factors.
The three finalists are liberal strongholds surrounded by the type of suburban areas that have become increasingly important to the party in recent elections. They also provide access to fundraising and key demographic and interest groups, like labor unions.
While Colorado and Massachusetts have gone Democratic in recent presidential elections, Pennsylvania has been among the biggest battlegrounds. Trump, a Republican, won Pennsylvania in 2024.
Philadelphia last hosted the convention in 2016, Denver in 2008 and Boston in 2004.
"(In 2008), we all felt left behind by politics in the middle of the Iraq War. The economy was in bad shape, and people are feeling that again in 2026, and so the historic poetry of bringing the convention and the party back to Denver in 2028 is a huge opportunity for people to feel that optimism and hope in their politics again," Murib said.
Murib said the economic impact of the convention would benefit all Denverites, regardless of political affiliation.
"Every convention brings about $400 million of investment to a city, which is equivalent to hosting four Super Bowls in one week," Murib said.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston on Thursday issued a statement adding: "We proved what this city could do when we hosted in 2008, and we’ve only gotten better since. Today, Denver blends modern transit, world-class venues, and a thriving hospitality scene with the unbeatable energy of the Rocky Mountain West. Hosting the convention again would be a tremendous opportunity for everyone who calls Denver home."
Before the presidential primary gets into gear, Democrats are looking at this year's midterm elections as an opportunity to flip the narrowly divided Republican-led House and maybe take back control of the Senate.
Democrats face fundraising disadvantages compared with Republicans, along with financial debt, and Martin has confronted criticism over his stewardship of the party.
During a recent DNC meeting in Texas, Martin downplayed the critics and called for the party to unite as it tries to win the midterms and look ahead to 2028 and the end of Trump's second term.
