Former U.S. Ambassador to Czech Republic Steve King named CEO of Milwaukee host committee for 2024 Republican Convention

Milwaukee's host committee for the 2024 Republican National Convention has brought on a seasoned political hand to serve as chief executive officer.

The spot has gone to Steve King, 81, a longtime stalwart of Wisconsin GOP politics who served as U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic.

Why did King take the position?

"Because I was asked by Reince Priebus, who has been a longtime friend and compatriot," King told the Journal Sentinel.

Priebus, an ex-White House chief of staff under former President Donald Trump, is the chairman of Milwaukee's host committee.

Priebus announced that King was on board Thursday during an event held by the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Local organizers say they need to raise $65 million for the event and have already secured more than $20 million in commitments.

During the Milwaukee Business Journal event Priebus said other members of the host committee are Tim Sheehy of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, philanthropist Ted Kellner, Republican Party of Wisconsin first vice chairman Gerard Randall, philanthropist Kathryn "Murph" Burke, Visit Milwaukee CEO Peggy Williams-Smith and Tony Povkovich of Uline Corp.

King likened the convention process to making a movie, with the local organizing committee acting as a producer while the RNC directs the event.

He said the organizing committee will "raise the money for the event and put in place all the necessary tools including contracts with a number of different organizations and entities."

King said Milwaukee has a big head start in the process, securing the event two years ahead of time.

King lived in the Janesville area for nearly 50 years and retains strong family ties in the state. He and his wife currently live in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

He said serving as chief executive of the host committee is his way of giving back to the state, as well as Milwaukee.

King was a former state Republican Party chairman in the 1980s. He also has significant convention experience, serving as the sergeant of arms for the 2012 Republican Convention in Tampa and heading the committee on arrangements for the 2016 RNC in Cleveland.

"The last real successful Republican convention was held in a city on a lake in the upper Midwest, that was Cleveland," he said. "My goal is to make sure all the necessary tools are in place so the RNC will put on the best convention this century in the upper Midwest in a city on a lake."

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Steve King named Milwaukee host committee CEO for 2024 RNC