2024 Republican National Convention: Dates, Location, Significance, and Controversies

The road to Election Day in the United States is paved with many important events, but few are more pivotal than each party's national conventions. These high-profile gatherings allow the Republican and Democratic parties to shape their policies, nominate candidates, and set the stage for the upcoming presidential race.  

Want to learn more? You've come to the right place! Get the lowdown on the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC) including the location, dates, attendees, and controversies that are certain to accompany it. And check out our 2024 Democratic National Convention page to see what members of the Democratic Party will be up to this summer.

When is the 2024 National Republican Convention? 

Mark your calendars for July 15-18, 2024 for the National Republican Convention. A cornerstone of American political tradition, the convention serves as a pivotal moment for the Republican Party and is guaranteed to draw attention from around the globe. 

Where is the 2024 National Republican Convention? 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin will take centerstage for the 2024 Republican National Convention. Why Milwaukee, you may ask? Wisconsin is a swing state, meaning both Republican and Democratic parties have similar levels of support from voters, making it a fitting host.  

Milwaukee was supposed to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention, but COVID-19 had other plans. The convention was moved to a virtual format that year due to the pandemic.

Who will attend the RNC? 

It's anticipated that 75,000 people will attend the 2024 Republican National Convention. That includes delegates, journalists, speakers, staff, and of course, the parties.  

Among the notable figures slated to appear is former President Donald Trump. There will be roughly 2,500 delegates present, including 41 from Wisconsin. Delegates are party officials, insiders, or Republicans who are involved in GOP politics in their state. They play a pivotal role in selecting the party's presidential nominee through their voting. 

Why is the RNC important? 

The convention exists so delegates can determine the party’s nominees for president and vice president in the US election. And while that's certainly important, the RNC has other purposes as well. It serves as a platform for showcasing party policies, rallying support, and delivering key speeches.

Despite the likelihood of nominees being known beforehand, conventions serve as vital opportunities for parties to garner public support, articulate their principles, and energize their base.

2024 Republican nominee odds

Nomination Winner		Implied probability
Donald Trump	-5,000	98%
Nikki Haley	+1,400	6.7%
Ryan Binkley	+30,000	0.3%

Odds courtesy of bet365 as of March 6, 2024.

Donald Trump has a commanding lead in 2024 US Election odds, followed by Nikki Haley and Ryan Binkley as an extreme long shot. Super Tuesday gave us some more insight into the upcoming election as Nikki Haley has chosen to suspend her presidential campaign, leaving Trump as the last remaining major candidate for the Republican Party. She congratulated Trump but also urged him to unite the party. 

"It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him. And I hope he does that," she said. "At its best, politics is about bringing people into your cause, not turning them away. And our conservative cause badly needs more people." 

What to expect  

Aside from Milwaukee suffering from road closures and parking restrictions, the city should expect lots of excitement around the convention. The biggest highlight is likely to be Donald Trump's acceptance speech. Given his penchant for controversial remarks, his address promises to be riveting. 

Republican National Convention controversies

The Republican National Convention is no stranger to controversy, yet some years really stand out. Notably, the 2016 RNC, headlined by Donald Trump, was characterized by polarizing language on race and immigration. "The 2016 Republican Convention was remarkable not for its bumbling shows of discord – culminating in Ted Cruz’s non-endorsement – but for the ways in which it illuminated a consistent message: hatred," explained American historian Jason Sokols.  

With the upcoming Republican National Convention, Nikki Haley has expressed deep reservations regarding Trump’s intentions. "I don’t want the RNC to become his legal defense fund. I don’t want the RNC to become his piggy bank for his personal court cases," she told CNN. "We’ve already seen him spend $50 million worth of campaign contributions towards his personal court cases."

As the 2024 Republican National Convention approaches, all eyes turn to Milwaukee, where political intrigue, impassioned speeches, and perhaps a dash of controversy await.  

History of the Republican National Convention 

The Republican National Convention traces its origins back to the mid-19th century, with the first convention held in 1856 in Philadelphia. The first convention saw the nomination of John C. Frémont as the Republican candidate for president, although he ultimately lost to Democrat James Buchanan. The convention marked the beginning of the Republican Party's prominent role in American politics.

More than a century later, the Republican National Convention remains a cornerstone of the American political landscape, showcasing the party's vision, values, and aspirations for the nation's future.

Past RNC winners

Pages related to this topic