MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee remains in the high-stakes hunt for the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
"I am cautiously optimistic," Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele said.
Abele agrees Wisconsin would be a good narrative for Democrats in 2020 after big wins in 2018 with the governor's race.
The Badger State will be a key battleground for both parties. President Trump turned Wisconsin red for the first time in decades.
Hosting a convention with an estimated 50,000 visitors is a heavy lift, but Abele believes Milwaukee can accommodate expectations when it comes to hotels and logistics.
"Anybody who has been downtown lately knows it's a world apart from 10 years ago," said Abele. "It's easier, more accessible, there's more facilities. Fiserv Forum is extraordinary as a facility. There's a lot of hotel rooms."
Milwaukee is competing with Houston and Miami Beach for the prized convention.
"Anybody who has been downtown lately knows it's a world apart from 10 years ago." — Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele
Like everyone else, the county executive is waiting for a final decision by DNC Chair Tom Perez.
"What I've heard is either this week or next week," said Abele. "I think everybody would agree, they are going to have to decide soon because we are going to have to start planning."
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled July 13-16, 2020.
