In 1963 , prior to the assassination of John F. Kennedy , as the state party chairman O'Donnell tried to convince the Republican National Committee to host the 1964 convention in Dallas , but received little support in his endeavor . The Dallas Chamber of Commerce doubted that the $ 500,000 needed to make a serious bid for the convention would be cost-effective . O'Donnell said he would try again in 1968 if his 1964 bid failed . It was not until 1984 that the GOP held its convention in Dallas , when delegates renominated the Reagan-Bush ticket
1964 convention
1964 Republican National Convention
Peter O'Donnell (Texas)