El Paso just scored a national political spotlight. The Libertarian Party’s 2028 national convention is headed to Sun City, the El Paso County Libertarian Party announced Tuesday. The multi-day gathering is expected to bring thousands of delegates, candidates, and party leaders from around the country and to pump fresh money into local hotels, restaurants and other businesses. Local organizers credited months of outreach, along with the city’s convention bureau, for helping lock in the bid. If confirmed, it will mark the first time a Libertarian presidential convention is staged in El Paso.
How the decision was announced
In a news release highlighted by the El Paso Times, the local Libertarian affiliate said it secured the 2028 convention with assistance from Destination El Paso. County Libertarian chair David Marino singled out Destination El Paso’s Josie Barajas for steering the proposal, saying the convention will give the country a chance to see that “El Paso is a beautiful, safe and proudly multicultural border city,” according to the statement. The release also emphasized that delegates, candidates and party leaders from all 50 states are expected to attend.
How the site was chosen
The Libertarian National Committee picked El Paso after a special meeting where competing sites made their pitch, and niche political outlets reported that the decision required multiple rounds of balloting. Ballot Access News reported that rival bids came from other cities in Texas and in Virginia and also listed tentative 2028 dates for the convention. Organizers say venue details, the final schedule and information on hotel blocks will be released as contracts are wrapped up.
What it could mean for El Paso
Local leaders are framing the convention as a welcome economic shot in the arm, with the city expecting a lift in event spending, hotel room nights and downtown foot traffic. Marino predicted “thousands of visitors” will get a firsthand taste of El Paso’s hospitality and multicultural identity, according to El Paso Times coverage. Destination El Paso will now work alongside party planners on logistics, marketing and other next steps to get the city convention-ready.
Quick background on the party
Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party is the country’s largest third party. Its national convention doubles as the party’s internal political battleground, where delegates select party leadership, hash out platform changes, and hit key milestones in the party’s presidential nominating timeline. According to the Libertarian Party’s website, the party pushes for smaller government, free markets and limits on taxation and spending, which makes the convention an important waypoint as the nation heads toward 2028. For El Paso, hosting the event offers an early chance to stake out a position on the national political calendar.
More specifics, including the official convention venue, ticketing information and a full day-by-day schedule, are expected in the coming months as planners and city officials finalize contracts.
