DNC Opens Up Early Primary Calendar, Taking Applications For The 2024 National Convention

Above: NRG Park, Houston, Texas.

Update to DNC Winter Meeting To Consider Resolution Which Could End The ‘First In The Nation’ Status For Iowa Caucus.

The New York Times reports, Democrats Weigh Shake-Up to Presidential Primary Calendar:

Just over two years after Iowa’s disastrous Democratic caucuses, in which officials struggled to deliver results, party officials across the country are increasingly weighing whether to pursue their own early-state primary slots — a dynamic set to rapidly accelerate.

On Wednesday, members of the Democratic National Committee’s powerful Rules and Bylaws Committee voted to begin an application process that will determine which states host the first presidential nominating contests in the 2024 cycle. The outcome may overhaul how the party’s presidential nominee is chosen and reorder which constituencies have the greatest influence.

The resolution adopted on Wednesday laid out a framework for applicants, and committee leaders also detailed a timeline for assessing applications, which are due by June 3. Committee recommendations regarding up to five early-voting states — an increase from the traditional four — are expected in July, with final approval set for a vote at the Democrats’ summer meeting.

Criticism of Iowa and, to a lesser extent, New Hampshire — two states that have long opened the presidential nominating process — has grown louder in recent years from those who see them as unrepresentative of the party’s diverse electorate. Iowa has faced particular scrutiny, given high-profile missteps as well as the state’s increasing tilt toward Republicans in general elections.

[T]he resolution — which included a lengthy amendment process — urged an emphasis on racial, ethnic, geographic and economic diversity and labor representation; cited logistical questions about feasibility and matters of transparency; and raised issues of general election competitiveness. Several of those terms are subject to broad interpretation.

“Fundamentally we focused on competitiveness in the Electoral College,” said James Roosevelt Jr., the chairman of the committee. “They can be useful in different ways. They can be useful because they help a Democratic candidate become popular in that state, or because they have a track record of choosing in their state primary somebody who is effective, ultimately, in the general election.”

The committee now has one week to formally inform the states of the application process — but some have already moved to clearly signal their interest. For instance, Nevada, previously a caucus state, is making the case to go first as a state-run primary. Top Nevada Democrats sent personalized letters to members of the rules committee that described a “battle-tested early state that represents the future of the Democratic Party,” according to two copies of the letter obtained by The New York Times. (NBC News earlier reported on Nevada’s letter.)

[In] addition to New Jersey Democrats, who are pitching their state to the national party chairman, Michigan and Nebraska Democrats are making their case, too. [I’m sorry, Nebraska? Same diff as Iowa.]

“The most interesting part will be what happens in the Midwest, since many folks think Iowa may not be one of the first five states moving forward,” said Tina Podlodowski, the Democratic chairwoman in Washington State. She said that her state was “absolutely” considering applying.

Ken Martin, the chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and a vice chairman of the D.N.C., did not rule out a potential early-state bid for Minnesota. He stressed instead his interest in ensuring Midwestern representation, which would become more urgent if Iowa lost its spot.

“I think it’s probably a strong likelihood that Minnesota will consider being a part of this conversation,” he said. “I don’t make those decisions on my own, but I would bet that Minnesota’s going to be in the mix.”

[C]ertainly it is possible that there will ultimately be no changes to the traditional lineup — though many D.N.C. members are bracing for an outpouring of interest from other states.

“The country’s changing, has changed. The demographics of the party have changed. People want to make sure the calendar reflects those changes and the realities of the party,” said Leah D. Daughtry, a veteran member of the Democratic National Committee. “That may lead you back to where we already are, or it may take you in a different direction.”

In other Democratic Party news, the Washington Post reports, Democrats eye Chicago, Atlanta, Houston and others for 2024 convention:

Democratic leaders on Friday asked eight cities, including Chicago, Atlanta and Houston, to submit bids to host the 2024 Democratic nominating convention, according to a party official familiar with the request.

The formal call for proposals from the Democratic National Committee launches a quadrennial process that can bring nearly 5,000 delegates and as many as 45,000 other people to a host city for a four-night extravaganza, with dozens of sideline events and parties, aimed at unifying the country behind a presidential nominee.

The full list of cities eyed by Democrats has not been made public, and it could grow in the coming weeks if other municipalities express interest, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the news media. The cities will have to submit their proposals by May 27 to be considered.

My advice: Pick Houston. Harris County, Texas is a Democratic stonghold, and the most diverse region of Texas. You can’t win Texas if you never go to Texas. And if you win Texas, it is game over for Republicans in the Electoral College. Without their Texas core electoral vote, Republicans start in a deep hole from which they can never dig out. Picking Houston now will aid Democrats in their Texas 2022 midterms. Elect Beto O’Rourke governor, and Gregg Abbott will not be able to steal a close election in Texas for the GQP nominee. It has long been predicted that Texas would go blue by 2024 (this was before GQP Jim Crow 2.0 voter suppression and extreme gerrymandering.)

I was in Houston in 2019 when President Trump hosted India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at NRG Park (home of the NFL’s Houston Texans), staying in a hotel across from the stadium.  There is also Minute Maid Park and the George R. Brown Convention Center.

#Houston crowd are the best! #HowdyModi pic.twitter.com/7kLZSfJHfk

— NRG Park (@nrgpark) September 22, 2019

“Last summer, the DNC sent out a Letter of Interest, which received a positive response. Our convention process is currently running on schedule and ahead of where we were at this point in previous cycles,” the official said in an email.

The DNC has hired Alex Hornbrook, who oversaw the 2020 presidential primary debate process, to manage the convention site-selection process. He was director of scheduling for then-Vice President Biden and director of scheduling and advance for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Lobbying for convention site selection can be intense, with cities wining and dining party officials and promising to help raise millions of dollars for events that can be an economic boon to local businesses. Milwaukee officials, businesses and residents raised more than $40 million for the 2020 Democratic convention, only part of which took place in the city.