Texas Republican Party convention in Houston canceled: mayor

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Wednesday that Houston First Corporation agreed to cancel the Texas Republican Party convention scheduled later this month in the city.

"The convention is not moving forward because of its public health risk it poses," Turner said, noting Houston First's contract with the state Republican Party included the right to cancel during a health crisis.

The convention, scheduled to be held at Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center from July 16 to 18, is expected to bring around 6,000 people.

A local government corporation formed in 2011, Houston First manages more than 10 city-owned buildings. It operates the George R. Brown Convention center.

Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Houston, Turner has asked the Texas Republican Executive Committee to change the in-person event into a virtue one.

Texas Republican Party Chairman James Dickey said in a statement that the party is "prepared to take all necessary steps to proceed in the peaceable exercise of our constitutionally protected rights," the Houston Chronicle reported.

Houston reported 204 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total number to 25,600. Houston Health Department said that because of the computer system slowdown, they believed the actual daily new cases would be higher.