Democrats scout Philadelphia for 2028 convention
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Democratic Party leaders land in Philadelphia today to evaluate the city's pitch for hosting their national convention in 2028.
Why it matters: Philly is under pressure to stand out from rival cities competing for the high-profile event that brings national attention and thousands of visitors.
State of play: DNC chairperson Ken Martin and other party brass will conduct a site visit in Philly through Friday.
- Party officials will assess the logistical and operational aspects of the city's bid, and whether Philly's got the facilities and infrastructure to put on the massive event.
- The visit includes stops at Xfinity Mobile Arena and the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Also under consideration:
- Philly's history of hosting large-scale events
- Fundraising ability
- Whether the city can recruit volunteers needed to support the convention's operations
Zoom out: The other finalist cities — Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and Denver — will also get site visits.
Between the lines: It'll all come down to Martin and Alex Hornbrook, the executive director of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, who are overseeing the selection process.
- DNC vice chairperson Malcolm Kenyatta, who is also a state representative from North Philly, is also expected to join the site visit.
Context: Philly is a finalist for a reason.
- The city has hosted the DNC three times, most recently in 2016, along with other massive events (like Pope Francis' visit in 2015).
- Philly is one of Democrats' largest and most important cities in a critical swing state. (Case in point: Kamala Harris wrapped up her 2024 presidential campaign here.)
- Plus: There's Gov. Shapiro, a rising star in the party who could run for president in 2028.
What they're saying: "Pennsylvania remains a crucial state for Democrats in 2026 and beyond," Martin told Axios in a statement.
- A spokesperson for Pick Pennsylvania, the nonprofit leading the city's bid, did not respond to Axios' request for comment.