Greater Miami and the Beaches Not Chosen to Host the Upcoming DNC

(Miami Beach, FL) Mar 11, 2019 -

Despite presenting the Democratic National Committee with an impressive proposal to host the 2020 presidential nominating convention, Greater Miami and the Beaches was ultimately not selected. The bidding process uniquely brought together nonpartisan support from all three jurisdictions, including Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.

“We’re disappointed, obviously, but proud of our effort and of our bipartisan hometown team,” said Gelber. “I am especially grateful to Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Mayor Francis Suarez who made a great case for our community. We appreciate Chairman Perez including us as a finalist and congratulate Milwaukee.”

With a population of more than 2.7 million people, Miami-Dade County embraces a plurality of perspectives, with nearly 60 percent of its residents hailing from over 156 countries and communicating in more than 76 languages. The County’s diversity and experience in hosting prestigious events are unrivaled.

“Miami-Dade prides itself in welcoming diverse outlooks that help us grow and excel in all our endeavors,” said Gimenez. “As elected county officials holding nonpartisan seats, we promote a message of hope and thoughtful dialogue that resonates deeply with our residents and the millions who visit our region each year. These reasons alone would have made us the ideal hosts for this event, not to mention our unbeatable beaches, restaurants, entertainment, tourist hot spots and cultural offerings.”

This past October, the Democratic National Committee’s site survey team visited South Florida and toured the American Airlines Arena, where the Convention would have taken place, along with the meeting spaces at the newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center.

“As a city with such an incredible national and international reach that we are called the Gateway to the Americas, Miami possesses the logistical and infrastructural amenities for attracting significant events,” said Suarez. “It’s a missed opportunity for our nation that we won’t be able to roll out the red carpet this summer for the DNC attendees in our unique way that no other city can top.”

In the past seven presidential elections, more than 51 million votes have been cast in Florida, and fewer than 20,000 votes have determined our next president. Additionally, the winner of the national election has won the state of Florida in 27 of the 39 elections since 1860.

The City of Miami Beach last hosted the Democratic and Republican national conventions in 1972 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.