Nashville Metro Council will begin the legislative process on approving a contract with the Republican National Committee, considering a bill on first reading sponsored by Councilman Robert Swope on July 5.
Bills or ordinances must pass three readings in order to take effect. Bills will typically pass on first reading and without much discussion, although this one may generate more than usual, given the partisan nature of the event.
It is unclear whether or not a majority of Metro Council will approve the legislation; however, pushback has already begun.
Councilmember Bob Mendes tweeted in response, “On July 5, the Metro Council will consider 1st reading of an ordinance brought by Councilmember Robert Swope to approve a contract for Nashville to host the RNC 2024 national convention. I’ll vote no.”
Mendes adds on his website, “Our country is still arguing about the January 6 coordinated insurrection at the Capitol. Nashville shouldn’t invite the risk of further violence into our home. Our downtown will be busy that week whether the RNC is here or not. Even if they pay for the extra time required from police, fire, EMS, NDOT, and Water, none of these departments or their people need extra work to do – especially when it will all happen with security concerns at the forefront. Respectfully, Nashville does not want or need a political convention.”
Sources have also said that Mayor John Cooper won’t cooperate unless the RNC issues a statement acknowledging the legitimacy of the Biden presidency.
One thing that may help bridge the partisan divide is that the leaders of both the GOP and Democrat parties agree that Nashville should host the 2024 Republican National Convention and bid for the 2028 Democratic National Convention and have said so.
Tennessee Republican Party Chair Scott Golden and Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Hendrell Remus released a joint statement saying just that on Saturday. “Though our parties are deeply divided on many issues of the day, we are fully aligned in the belief that our two-party system of democracy is the best form of government in the history of civilization. We both fully embrace the opportunity for Nashville to host the 2024 Republican National Convention and are committed to an effort to recruit the Democrat National Convention in 2028, since it has closed its bidding process for 2024 with a list of cities that were hand selected by the DNC.”
If eventually approved through three readings, the Republican National Committee would have until January 1, 2023, unless mutually agreed upon in writing, to select one of three time periods in 2024 as when the convention preparations and events will take place.
The contract specifies:
“Convention Period” means the period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the day that is twelve (12) days prior to the opening session of the Convention and extending through 12:00 midnight on the eighth (8th) day following the last session of the Convention, which such period will be determined by the RNC on or before January 1, 2023 (or such later date as mutually agreed to by Metro and the RNC in writing) and be in one of the three following slots: either (i) beginning at 12:01 a.m. Local Time on June 24, 2024, or later and ending at 11:59 p.m. Local Time on July 26, 2024; or (ii) beginning at 12:01 a.m. Local Time on July 29, 2024, or later and ending at 11:59 p.m. Local Time on August 30, 2024; or (iii) beginning at 12:01 a.m. Local Time on August 5, 2024, or later and ending at 11:59 p.m. Local Time on September 6, 2024. Upon notice by the RNC on or before December 1, 2023, the Convention Period may begin up to seven (7) days before or after the start date set forth in this definition, provided that the duration of the Convention Period shall not exceed [fourteen (14)] days unless extended pursuant to Section 2.2(b).
Read the Ordinance and Exhibit:
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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTR, Twitter, Truth Social, and Parler.
Photo “Bob Mendes” by Bob Mendes for Nashville Metro Council At-Large.
