2024 Presidential Campaign Blog

DNC Announces Chicago to Host 2024 Democratic National Convention

DNC Announces Chicago to Host 2024 Democratic National Convention

The Democratic National Committee today announced Chicago will host the 2024 Democratic National Convention at the United Center from August 19 to 22. The DNC is returning to the Midwest, a critical Democratic stronghold: Illinois along with Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota – part of the “blue wall” – were crucial to the 2020 victory of President Biden and Vice President Harris and to Democrats’ success in the 2022 midterm elections.

Chicago’s convention bid was supported by a wide range of midwestern Democrats who represent the diversity of the party, demonstrating the formidable coalition that will help re-elect President Biden and Vice President Harris, and elect Democrats up-and-down the ticket. The region will showcase President Biden’s economic agenda that is rebuilding our roads and bridges, unleashing a manufacturing boom, and creating good-paying middle-class jobs. Chicago has already felt the impact of Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including $144 million to rehabilitate the four Illinois International Port Calumet River Bridges, with billions in investments to expand economic opportunity around the region.

“Chicago is a great choice to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention,” said President Joe Biden. “Democrats will gather to showcase our historic progress including building an economy from the middle out and bottom up, not from the top down. From repairing our roads and bridges, to unleashing a manufacturing boom, and creating over 12.5 million new good-paying jobs, we’ve already delivered so much for hard working Americans – now it’s time to finish the job.”

“I am thrilled that Democrats will take the stage in Chicago to share our party’s vision and values,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “The Midwest reflects America and will give Democrats an opportunity to showcase some of President Biden and Vice President Harris’s most significant accomplishments for American families. I’m grateful to the leadership of Chicago’s bid for being great partners, as well as to the other cities for putting forward such strong bids.”

“The 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago will welcome people from across the nation to an unforgettable event highlighting our party’s vision for lifting up working families and those who too often have been left out and left behind,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “Our great global city and its diverse communities, unparalleled hospitality, and world renowned venues shows off the best of America and its people represent the heart of our country.”

“The Midwest is key to a victory in 2024, and there is no city better positioned to reach those voters than Chicago,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). “I look forward to welcoming the world to Illinois in 2024 and showing what it looks like when we all come together to create a future built on policies that deliver for American families.”

"I am deeply honored that President Biden and the DNC have chosen Chicago,” said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “I want to commend all the City government leaders who demonstrated with a proven track record of excellence that by choosing Chicago, the DNC, convention delegates, volunteers and others would be treated to a first class experience in our world class city. The DNC will create once-in-a-generation opportunities for job creation and business growth here in our city, and I’m proud that we got it done for the people of Chicago.”

"Chicago is a world-class city that looks like America and demonstrates the values of the Democratic Party,” said Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson of Chicago. “We are unmatched when it comes to hosting events of this scale. I look forward to working closely with the DNC to facilitate a spectacular convention that showcases Chicago's diverse culture, our beautiful lakefront, our renowned hospitality sector, and our best asset: our amazing people."

Chicago was selected at the conclusion of a rigorous site selection process, which was led by DNC Director of Convention Planning Alex Hornbrook and included a Technical Advisory Group of veterans who have worked several cycles of conventions and are experts in the areas of housing, transportation, infrastructure, security, accessibility, and arena and production logistics. These experts traveled to Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, and New York. Late last year, the DNC entered into contract negotiations with a final set of cities before selecting Chicago as the host to the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

###

Iowa Democratic Party Statement on DNC Calendar Vote

Iowa Democratic Party Statement on DNC Calendar Vote

Des Moines - Following the vote today by the full body of the DNC regarding the 2024 Presdintial nomination calendar, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart released the following statement.

“As a farmer who lives near Wheatland, Iowa, a town of around 800 people, it is vital that small rural states like Iowa have a voice in our Presidential nominating process. Democrats cannot forget about entire groups of voters in the heart of the Midwest without doing significant damage to the party. I am especially troubled by the lack of any representation of states in the Central or Mountain time zones.”

“I fully believe in and support the President and the principles which informed this proposed calendar. However, this calendar does not appear feasible. As it stands today, of the five states which were granted waivers, one state appears unwilling, and one state appears unable, to meet the conditions on which they were predicated. This uncertainty means that the matter is far from settled, and Iowa Democrats will continue to be part of the ongoing conversations about the calendar.”

“Iowa does not have the luxury of conducting a state-run primary, nor are Iowa Republicans likely to support legislation that would establish one. Our state law requires us to hold precinct caucuses before the last Tuesday in February, and before any other contest.”

“The reimagined Iowa Caucuses will be a simplified vote-by-mail process that will increase accessibility, grow our Party and has the opportunity to be one the most inclusive primary process of any state.”

“When we submit our delegate selection plan to the Rules and Bylaws Committee, we will continue to do what is best for Iowa, adhere to any state legal requirements and utilize the vote-by-mail process outlined in our application for an early-state waiver.”

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Union Officially Joins SEIU Local 500

DNC Union Officially Joins SEIU Local 500
After a review by an independent arbiter, DNC staff officially join DC’s fastest-growing union

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- By an overwhelming margin, staff at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) have officially joined SEIU Local 500. Today, former Congresswoman Donna Edwards – an independent neutral observer selected by both DNC staff and management – determined a majority of eligible staff have officially signed cards to unionize.
“We are incredibly excited to join SEIU Local 500 to live our Democratic values at our workplace,” said DNC Staffer and Union Leader Alison Goh. “Throughout this process, our aim has been not only to improve the lives of current and future staff at the DNC, but to ensure our staff, no matter where they live, are protected and given the resources they need to thrive in their careers and succeed in our mission to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. As we work on our first contract with management, we thank Chair Harrison and DNC leadership for their vocal support of collective bargaining rights both inside and outside of the DNC Headquarters – now, let's get to work.”

“The DNC is strong and only getting stronger because of our smart, diverse, and resilient staff,” said DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale. “Today, the DNC is proud to voluntarily recognize SEIU Local 500 after a majority of DNC employees expressed their desire for union representation in a mutually agreed-upon bargaining unit. The DNC looks forward to meeting with LocaI 500 and our employee representatives to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement in the near future. I am inspired by the incredible DNC team, and that’s especially true today as they live the values we hold dear as Democrats.”
DNC staff have joined SEIU Local 500, the fastest growing union in greater Washington, D.C. and a local that already represents employees of several progressive non-profits in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. metro area. Now, a select committee of staff will work with management to draft the first contract. While unionization efforts historically stem from workplace disputes, that is not the case at the DNC. Staff and management in fact agree that unionizing the workplace is a real-life adoption of Democrats’ shared values. As a result, this process has been collegial, efficient, and productive.

DNC Unveils New Billboard Campaign Thanking Him for Putting America Back on Track, Will Be Up One Week in Minneapolis

As President Biden Approaches 100th Day in Office, DNC Unveils New Billboard Campaign Anchored in Scranton Thanking Him for Putting America Back on Track

Under Biden’s leadership, more than 1 million jobs have been created and over half of U.S. adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose

Today, the Democratic National Committee is unveiling an updated billboard campaign across the country and a new billboard in President Biden’s hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania to thank the president for getting America back on track with vaccines in arms, checks in hands, and more than one million jobs created since he took office.

“As we approach President Biden’s 100th day in office, we want to make sure folks from coast to coast know that America is back on track -- and it’s thanks to the president’s leadership,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “President Biden has delivered on a number of promises to the American people, including successfully passing the American Rescue Plan, and now millions of Americans are getting vaccinated every single day, stimulus checks are getting into people's hands, and folks are starting to go back to work. There’s still work ahead of us, but with President Biden and Democrats leading us forward, America is on track to build back better than ever.”

Because of President Biden’s leadership:

• Over half of U.S. adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and more than 94 million adults, including 3.8 million Pennsylvania adults, are fully vaccinated.
• 160 million stimulus checks have been delivered. In Pennsylvania, 86% of the adult population and 84% of children, including 8.1 million adults and 2.8 million children, are receiving direct payments of up to $1,400.
• More than a million jobs have been created since President Biden took office and weekly unemployment claims fell last week to the lowest level since March of last year, when the pandemic began. In Pennsylvania, new unemployment claims dropped to 22,184 during the week of April 10, down from 23,360 the week before.

The billboards will be up for one week and are located in the following cities:
• Los Angeles, California
• Denver, Colorado
• Orlando, Florida
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Kenner, Louisiana
• Romulus, Michigan
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Springfield, Missouri
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Manchester, New Hampshire
• Newark, New Jersey
• Greensboro, North Carolina
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
• Scranton, Pennsylvania
• Nashville, Tennessee
• Houston, Texas
• Seattle, Washington
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin

DNC Announces New Communications Staff Hires

DNC Announces New Communications Staff Hires

Today, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Executive Director Sam Cornale announced additions to the Democratic National Committee’s communications team. Ammar Moussa has been hired as Rapid Response Director, and Adonna Biel has been named Deputy Rapid Response Director. Lucas Acosta has been brought on as Coalitions Director and Senior Spokesperson, and Brooke Goren has been named States Communications Director. Hyma Moore will be Regional Press Secretary, Allyson Bayless will serve as a Communications Associate, and Darcy Palder will serve as Press Assistant.

These new hires will join Cassidy Geoghegan, who has been promoted to Deputy States Communications Director; Daniel Wessel, who has been promoted to Deputy Communications Director; and Enrique Gutierrez, who has been promoted to Regional Press Secretary and Hispanic Media Adviser.

“We are thrilled to announce new additions to our team at the DNC,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “These new staff hires are among the best our party has to offer and will bring diversity, experience and strength to the Democratic Party. They will help us to deliver our message to the American people and expand on our success in 2021, 2022, and beyond.”

"The DNC continues to recruit top talent to meet the moment,” said DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale. “Our success as a party will depend in no small measure on our ability to message to the American people. The Democratic Party is the only party working on behalf of the American people, and these experienced communications staffers will help us to make that clear to voters in the months and years ahead.”

Lucas Acosta returns to the DNC after serving as Deputy Communications Director for Politics at the Human Rights Campaign. Previously, he led the DNC's television and radio outreach as Director of Broadcast Media and served as National Radio Broadcast Manager for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.

Allyson Bayless was previously a Press Assistant for the DNC War Room, where she supported the party's rapid response efforts during the 2020 election.

Adonna Biel most recently served as Deputy Press Secretary for the Biden-Harris campaign in North Carolina, after joining the communications team and helping lead Biden to victory in the primary election. Prior to that, she worked on the campaign communications team at EMILY’s List.

Cassidy Geoghegan previously served as the DNC’s battleground press secretary covering Southern states. Prior to joining the DNC, Geoghegan led communications and outreach efforts for Priorities Wisconsin, and was deputy press secretary at Everytown for Gun Safety.

Enrique Gutierrez joined the DNC in 2018 and previously served as Hispanic Media Director. Prior to joining the DNC, he has served as communications director for Voto Latino and the Arizona Democratic Party.

Brooke Goren previously served as a Regional Press Secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Prior to joining the DCCC, Brooke was Deputy Communications Director at the Missouri Democratic Party during the 2018 midterms and worked on Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign in Brooklyn.

Hyma Moore served most recently as the Southern Regional Communications Director for the Biden-Harris campaign, leading teams in Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. Prior to joining the Biden-Harris campaign, Hyma was the Vice President of External Affairs for Greater New Orleans, Inc, held official City government positions with Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Former Mayor Mitch Landrieu, and served on Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign.

Ammar Moussa has previously served in communications roles for Senators Jon Ossoff and John Hickenlooper’s campaigns for Senate as well as for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.

Darcy Palder is a recent graduate of Georgetown University. She was previously an editorial intern at The Hill.com, a podcast producer at Foreign Policy Magazine and a news intern at BBC News. Originally from Chicago, she is returning to the DNC four years after serving as a communications intern.

Daniel Wessel joined the DNC in 2017 and previously served as Deputy War Room Director throughout the 2020 cycle. Prior to joining the DNC, Daniel served as Press Secretary for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in Virginia.