COLUMBUS, Ohio – Civic and political leaders are regrouping and trying to put a finger on why Columbus was beaten out by Philadelphia to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
READ MORE: In the Columbus Dispatch
Even before the decision was made public, questions had been raised about Columbus’ ability to come up with the necessary money, with some pointing to a lack of enthusiasm among certain central Ohio business leaders concerned about showcasing Democrats when hometown Gov. John Kasich could be in the presidential race, according to a report in the Columbus Dispatch.
Democratic Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz lauded the bids of Columbus and the other finalist, Brooklyn, singling out officials of Ohio’s largest city for doing “a phenomenal job. They pulled their city leadership together. They put on an incredible effort.”
But Wasserman Schultz also said, “There is clearly no better city to have this special event than Philadelphia,” calling its comprehensive proposal “unmatched.”
Philadelphia pledged to raise $84 million for the convention, already putting $5 million in escrow and obtaining $12 million in commitments, said former Gov. Ed Rendell, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Columbus had obtained pledges for about half the $60 million mandated by the national party, including $10 million from JobsOhio, the state’s privatized economic development agency formed by Kasich, and $1 million from local labor unions. And organizers were confident they could raise the other half as well, including money from national sponsors and in-kind contributions.
Mayor Michael Coleman and the leaders of the effort to attract the convention to the city said they planned to try to land a major party’s nominating convention against in 2020.