Charlotte puts toe in water for 2020 GOP convention

Specifically, the city is "working together with key partners and stakeholders" and "evaluating options to host the 2020 Republican National Convention," according to a news release. This is a first step toward submitting a formal proposal, officials said.

Mayor Vi Lyles called it "a wonderful opportunity to showcase our city, our region and our state to the world."

The city hosted the Democratic National Convention in 2012 and said it was the single largest event in city history, with an economic impact of more than $163 million.

But the event also had trouble with its initial fundraising, in part because of the DNC decision to ban direct corporate donations. The ban didn't exactly stick. Duke Energy approved a $10 million line of credit for the event, which it later forgave.

Dallas Woodhouse, executive director of the North Carolina Republican Party, said having the event in-state would be "exhilarating ... the pleasure of a lifetime." He said that, by all accounts, Charlotte was "an impeccable host for our Democrat friends."

The ultimate decision will be up to the president, he said, and North Carolina's potential status as a swing state in the next presidential election would make it an attractive choice.

"The same reasons that made it attractive for Mr. Obama would make it attractive for Mr. Trump," Woodhouse said.

A proposal for the Republican convention is due at the end of February.