Too many outright communists there and so close to Chicago. It’d be a nightmare to the point that I’d be concerned about bombings.
Indianapolis would love it.
My family lives there and except for one elderly aunt all are Trump supporters. Including the Union members and self described Democrats. Fairly friendly State for Trump. No matter where the GOP goes there will be protesters bussed in.
However, my comment about Wisconsin was tongue and cheek. I would do it in Columbia SC. They have a large convention center and hotels. University would provide protesters but that is anywhere, But it would be a real poke in the eye to Charlotte. The city is small, hotels would be booked solid, less logistical support for protesters. I recall that during an event there, the police effectively shutdown the bridge from the University going to the bar district around the Convention Center. Maybe easier to keep protesters at bay in a smaller city.
As an aside, business man from the Charlotte who claimed no big deal because they would not see increase in business from convention is an idiot. With Cooper forcing COVID restrictions into August for no good reason, his business model is not the same as the last convention. There are people hurting here because Cooper is destroying the States economy. Lots of blue collar workers would love the jobs and extra money from a convention. The millions the convention brings in is not just to hotels and bars.
Although not in play, Charleston West Virginia has a large convention center. Friendly territory and from my experience I would think police could easily control the city. Although you want to go to swing state, you also do not want another Chicago 1968 type convention. All the press will focus on is protesters.