ATLANTA — The City of Atlanta was FIFA’s favorite during the 2026 World Cup, landed the 2028 Super Bowl, and made the final five list of big cities to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, but will not be playing host for the DNC.
Back in April when the DNC came to visit, Mayor Andre Dickens liked the city’s chances.
“The Democratic party needs to invest in the South, with the only Southern city out of the top five that made it to the finals,” the mayor said then.
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But after learning Thursday that the city had missed the cut to make the top three still in the running, some are sour.
In a letter obtained by Channel 2 Action News, the mayor said Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin had an opportunity to show they had a plan to win the White House.
“But instead, they are running scared and retreat into their safe spaces,” the letter stated.
Mayor Dickens also accused the DNC of abandoning Atlanta, the South and Black voters.
The Democratic National Committee did not say why Atlanta was overlooked.
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“The road to the White House in 2028 will come straight through Georgia, whether or not the Democratic National Convention does,” state Democratic Party Chairman Charlie Bailey told Channel 2’s Berndt Petersen.
Local leaders in the Georgia Legislature also weighed in. State Senator RaShaun Kemp warned there’s an effort to disenfranchise Black Voters and his party needs to confront it.
“The Democratic party made a horrible decision in excluding Atlanta. They had an opportunity to show that the base of this party is respected and their voices need to be heard. Atlanta should have been at the top of their list,” Senator Kemp said.
The final three cities still in the running to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention are Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia.
The Republican National Convention will be held in Houston.
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