Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sent a strongly worded letter to Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin on Thursday, alleging that the party’s decision to exclude Atlanta from the shortlist of potential hosts for the 2028 Democratic National Convention shows a disregard for Black voters and the Southern region.

Mayor’s criticism

In the letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, Dickens wrote that the DNC is “abandoning Atlanta, abandoning the South, and once again abandoning Black voters.” He noted that Atlanta has not hosted a convention in nearly four decades and argued that the party’s repeated focus on the same region is intentional, not accidental.

Context of the selection process

The DNC has narrowed the field to three cities—Boston, Denver and Philadelphia—after site visits to five candidates, including Atlanta and Chicago. Officials said the final decision will consider factors such as arena capacity, hotel availability, fundraising ability and alignment with Democratic values.

Martin responded that Boston, Denver and Philadelphia each presented “incredibly strong bids” and that the convention will be “an inspiring celebration of our party’s future nominee.” He added that the DNC remains committed to the South, citing its recent decision to place South Carolina first on the 2028 primary calendar and highlighting that roughly 4.6 million Black residents live across the six early‑state region.

Southern Democrats’ concerns

Dickens’ letter echoes remarks from other Southern Democratic leaders. South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain recently said, “the South is not the past, it is the future,” while chairs from five additional Southern states warned the DNC not to take Black voters for granted.

Democratic officials emphasized that the site‑selection process included visits to each finalist city in April and May, during which DNC staff toured venues such as Atlanta’s State Farm Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center.

Implications for the 2028 race

The dispute arrives as the party prepares for the 2028 presidential election cycle. Democrats argue that a strong Southern presence is essential for winning the White House, while critics like Dickens contend that the party’s current strategy marginalizes a key constituency.

Both sides agree that the final decision on the convention site will not be made for several months, after a contracts and logistics review of the three remaining cities.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.