By Tia Mitchell, Greg Bluestein The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)Tribune Media Services
Jackson arrives with former Alabama Sen. Doug Jones for a meeting
with U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) on March 03, 2022 in Washington, DC.
(AP Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)Getty Images)
Atlanta’s bid for the Democratic National Convention in 2024 has a surprising out-of-state champion: Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones.
The Alabama Democrat has embarked on a behind-the-scenes mission to line up endorsements from prominent political figures around the South and lobby party officials to support the city’s push for the four-night spectacle.
“This is important to the region. Georgia em bodies everything the Democratic Party wants to showcase. It’s a swing state that helped deliver the presidency to Joe Biden and delivered the Senate majority to Democrats,” said Jones, who served in the chamber from 2018 to 2021.
“With the demographic shifts in the region, there are opportunities for Democrats to start turning everything around. Georgia epitomizes that,” he added. “We recognize
that, we see it — and we want the rest of the South to see it.”
The event is expected to bring 5,000 delegates and another 45,000 visitors to
the host city to celebrate the presidential nominee. Eight cities were asked
by the party to bid for the event, though officials say the competition narrowed
to two finalists: Atlanta and Chicago. Atlanta’s bid is led by Mayor Andre Dickens
and U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, who also chairs the state Democratic Party.Jones said in an interview he’s happy to play a supporting role in the quest for the convention because a win for Atlanta would be a win for the region.
“This is the state whereJoe Biden can launch his presidential campaign from. It’s got a little bit of everything, including an incredible civil rights history,” said Jones. “That’s something Democrats need to celebrate.”
