COLUMBUS, Ohio – Former bodybuilder and governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger is flexing some muscle on behalf Columbus in the city’s bid to host the 2016 Republican National Convention.
Columbus leaders incorporated a letter of endorsement from the champion bodybuilder, movie star and Republican politician into their bid presentation Monday in Washington, D.C.
Schwarzenegger wrote that Columbus has been “an extremely successful” location for his annual Arnold Sports Festival. The event has grown since the 1970s from a one-day men’s bodybuilding competition to the largest multi-sport fitness festival in the world.
“The Governator” praised the city’s restaurants and shops, neighborhoods like the Short North and German Village and its “open, smart, collaborative spirit.”
Columbus is among eight finalist cities in the convention competition. The list includes two others in Ohio: Cleveland and Cincinnati.
Cleveland’s presentation was scheduled later Monday. Cincinnati’s scheduled bid presentation was among several postponed Monday due to weather issues in the nation’s capital.
The group presenting the bid included Mayor Michael Coleman, Franklin County Commissioner John O’Grady; Alex Fischer, president and CEO of the Columbus Partnership; Brian Ross, president and CEO of Experience Columbus, and Doug Preisse, chairman of the Franklin County Republican Party.