SAN DIEGO — Ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, San Diegans are reminiscing about the last time the RNC was in California.

What You Need To Know

  • The 2024 Republican National Convention will be held in Milwaukee July 15-18

  • San Diego hosted the 1996 RNC,

  • It was the first presidential nominating convention to be held in San Diego, and the only Republican National Convention held in Southern California

  • Attendees of the 1996 RNC believe having this year’s RNC in Milwaukee will give that region a chance to showcase their best qualities and bring people together

Looking over memories from his career in politics, retired San Diego Congressman Brian Bilbray fondly remembers the 1996 Republican National Convention.

"The Doles were an interesting pair because they really were a family team," he said. 

Bilbray co-hosted the 1996 RNC, the first presidential nominating convention in San Diego and the only Republican National Convention held in Southern California.

"It exposed the rest of the country to what the San Diego experience was," he said. "And being a former lifeguard, being a surfer, I was sort of the poster boy for what San Diego could have."

He says that was the year the spouses of presidential nominees — like Elizabeth Dole — featured prominently as speakers, a trend that continues today.

"She was just as well known as he was," Bilbray said. "There was a lot of bitterness going back and forth on the House floor and the Senate floor and whatever. People weren't relating to each other. But the one place people could relate, is families."

John Dadian is a political analyst in San Diego and attended the 1996 RNC as a guest.

"Because of the convention, the entire town was alive," Dadian said. "The entire town was a party."

Dadian says every convention has something that makes it special.

"Bob Dole was the nominee in '96 in San Diego," he said. "His vice president was Jack Kemp, who has San Diego roots. He played for the Chargers. So this town was loving the fact that Jack Kemp was here."

He says going to a presidential nominating convention is a historic event that boosts local economies and makes a lasting impact on attendees.

"If you're a delegate, that town is yours, whether it be San Diego or Milwaukee. And that's what the delegates will be going through next week," Dadian said. 

Bilbray believes that having this year's RNC in Milwaukee will give that region a chance to showcase its best qualities and bring people together, just as San Diego did in 1996.

"This really gives the ability for that Midwest unique culture to really shine and show their little 'cheesehead' perception of the world," he said. "So we've gotta respect those differences and kind of embrace them."