Charlotte asks RNC to ‘fulfill all’ obligations to city after it relocates most of convention

The city of Charlotte, N.C., demanded the Republican National Committee (RNC) fulfill “all” of its obligations after it moved the main events of its nominating convention to Jacksonville, Fla. 

“Since being awarded the 2020 Republican National Convention, we have been working with our partners to meet our obligations and to help ensure a successful event for the Republican National Committee (RNC), as well as for the Charlotte community,” the city tweeted from its official account. 

“Given the RNC’s formal notice to relocate most convention events to Jacksonville, FL., the City believes it is in the parties’ best interest to immediately unwind the agreements among them and hold the RNC accountable to fulfill all its outstanding obligations to the parties and make them whole.” 

Corrected statement on @GOPconvention pic.twitter.com/j7YTjvH1Cz

— City of Charlotte (@CLTgov) June 12, 2020

The demand comes a day after the RNC announced it will move its main events, including President Trump’s acceptance speech as the party’s nominee, to Jacksonville. 

The move followed a break with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) over whether the quadrennial confab, which attracts thousands of people and a financial windfall, could take place without social distancing precautions. Trump had demanded the convention take place without restrictions on crowd size or requirements about wearing masks, terms Cooper declined to commit to given the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous occasion in the great city of Jacksonville,” RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement. “Not only does Florida hold a special place in President Trump’s heart as his home state, but it is crucial in the path to victory in 2020.” 

The GOP’s official business will still take place in Charlotte. 

The Democratic convention is still scheduled to take place in August in Milwaukee, but officials have floated the prospect of holding it virtually or in a modified form.

Updated: June 13 at 12:49 p.m.