State and city leaders across Massachusetts are expressing enthusiasm about Boston becoming a potential host city for the 2028 Democratic National Convention.
Democrats on Thursday also narrowed the list of possible host cities to Denver and Philadelphia as their party looks ahead to a wide-open primary to succeed President Donald Trump.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley called the news “a testament to our city’s world-class institutions, infrastructure, and rich history of leadership in America’s democratic story.”
“I’m thrilled to see Boston move forward in the process, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to celebrate our Democratic values here at home and show the country what our city has to offer,” said Pressley in a statement.
Steve Kerrigan, president of Boston 2028, said “we are honored to move forward to the final stage as host for the 2028 Democratic National Convention and will continue to work alongside our incredible partners and the Greater Boston community to share the best of our city with the DNC.”
A final decision is expected to be made later this year by party leaders. Republicans have already chosen Houston for the site of their 2028 convention.
The Democratic convention, scheduled for Aug. 7-10, 2028, traditionally gives the party a chance to formally introduce its nominee to the country, rally the base and kick-start the most intense period of campaigning ahead of the general election.
“Massachusetts knows a thing or two about how to take on a tyrant — and as the birthplace of the American Revolution, Boston is the perfect choice to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention,” said Rep. Jim McGovern in a statement. “Boston should be the place where Democrats stand together to launch the final push to restore smart, strong, moral leadership to the White House.”
The party didn’t specify why Atlanta and Chicago, which was the site of the 2024 convention, were eliminated. Officials visited all five cities in April and May, considering logistical and fundraising capacity among other factors.
The three finalists are liberal strongholds surrounded by the type of suburban areas that have become increasingly important to the party in recent elections. They also provide access to fundraising and key demographic and interest groups, like labor unions.
In a statement, Gov. Maura Healey said after a summer of hosting the FIFA World Cup and the Tall Ships, Massachusetts has shown that it’s capable of hosting major events.
“The 2028 election will be an important moment to choose the direction of our country, and there is no better city than Boston to chart that future,” she said. “I’m thrilled that Boston has advanced to the next round, and I look forward to working with partners like Mayor Wu and other leaders in this next phase of the Convention process.”
Mayor Michelle Wu echoed that Boston is “the perfect venue to host important events.”
“Boston is ready to host a DNC Convention that will showcase our vibrant, diverse city to a global audience, welcome guests and delegates to hotels within walking distance of both the convention venues and our major attractions, and deliver major economic benefits to local businesses,” she said in a statement. “We are proud to offer the country clear proof of the progress that’s possible when we build the America our founders fought for.”
While Colorado and Massachusetts have gone Democratic in recent presidential elections, Pennsylvania has been among the biggest battlegrounds. Trump, a Republican, won Pennsylvania in 2024.
Philadelphia last hosted the convention in 2016, Denver in 2008 and Boston in 2004.
Before the presidential primary gets into gear, Democrats are looking at this year’s midterm elections as an opportunity to flip the narrowly divided Republican-led House and maybe take back control of the Senate.
Democrats face fundraising disadvantages compared with Republicans, along with financial debt, and Martin has confronted criticism over his stewardship of the party.
During a recent DNC meeting in Texas, Martin downplayed the critics and called for the party to unite as it tries to win the midterms and look ahead to 2028 and the end of Trump’s second term.
