COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus has taken a step closer toward hosting a major political party’s 2016 national convention.
Out of the running for the Republican convention, city officials say Columbus has advanced to the next phase of the Democratic party’s selection process.
The Democratic National Committee announced Wednesday that it will conduct site visits in Columbus later this summer, City Council president Andrew Ginther said.
“We are ready to welcome Democrats from around the nation and media from around the world to Columbus,” Ginther said.
The convention is expected to cost about $60 million but officials working to bring it to Columbus say it could draw as many as 45,000 people and pump $150 to $200 million into the economy of Central Ohio.
Ohio could still host the GOP convention. Republican National Committee members on Wednesday selected Cleveland and Dallas as the two finalists for the 2016 convention. RNC leaders are expected to select the winning convention site later this summer.
Cleveland’s chances rest on its location in Ohio, a perennial swing state. Dallas’ odds are strengthened by its coalition of wealthy donors with ties to the Bush family and the oil industry.