Democrats have narrowed down their list of cities to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. And Atlanta is no longer on it.
The Associated Press reports that Boston, Denver and Philadelphia are the three finalists to host. Atlanta and Chicago, who were finalists for 2024 convention, have been removed from consideration.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement that the top three cities put forward “incredibly strong bids.” His statement did not give a reason for why Atlanta is no longer a finalist.
The DNC host committee visited Atlanta, which last hosted the DNC in 1988, earlier this year as Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and other city and state leaders highlighted the new businesses, hotels and more going up in the downtown area.
“They want walkability and proximity to the main venues that are going to be taking place, which is State Farm Arena, Georgia World Congress Center, et cetera,” Dickens said at the time. “These are all walkable hotels and great proximity to those venues.”
After the announcement, Dickens released a letter on social media blasting the decision.
“For the DNC to not even include Atlanta in the shortlist means that the DNC does not consider Atlanta or Georgia relevant to the past, present, or future of the Democratic Party,” Dickens wrote. “It seems that Ken Martin doesn’t even believe himself when he said that the road to the White House runs through the South.”
