I agree it’s probably the right thing to not host, especially given the ROI is bad (at least according to some other states…)

But even though I think it’s a good thing, it is an embarrassment.

Announcing that you’re going to host, putting money / effort state-wide into preparing, and then dropping it is embarrassing. It sends a message that you can’t adequately plan for large events, and that your commitments aren’t worth much. I can’t really blame the opposition for trying to make some hay from it.