MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Common Council unanimously approved the framework for a contract to host the 2024 Republican National Convention.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson signed the framework on Wednesday afternoon. Milwaukee and Nashville are the final contenders to host the convention.

“The Common Council has taken a positive step forward by approving the contract to host a major political convention in the summer of 2024,” Johnson said in a statement Wednesday.

(Andrew Havranek/Spectrum News 1)

“My support for this agreement is primarily driven by the benefits hardworking Milwaukee residents will earn when the Republican National Convention comes to our city,” he continued. “I also favor this effort because it positions Milwaukee to attract additional big conventions in the coming years.”

He said making minor modifications to the contract helped reach an “important stage” in the city’s work to host the convention.

Per the Common Council, one modification included working with the RNC to ensure funding is consistent with the dollar amount normally provided to a host city after previous in-person conventions to be used for related programs, workforce development and housing. 

Another provision included that the RNC shall report the status of negotiations, plan development and event funding on a quarterly basis to the council.

“I am hopeful Milwaukee will soon receive word from the Republicans that they have chosen to bring their 2024 convention here,” Johnson said.

Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Paul Farrow said Milwaukee's push for the convention was inspiring.

"A 2024 Milwaukee convention would bring hundreds of millions of dollars to Wisconsin and would allow us to speak directly to America’s Heartland," he said in a statement. "No matter the outcome, we are inspired by how the Milwaukee community has come together in support of this effort, and we look forward to hearing the RNC’s final selection.”

The city was selected in 2019 to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention, however it ended up being largely virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.