Replies

Either Dallas or Cleveland will host the 2016 Republican convention, party leaders decided Wednesday, cutting Denver and Kansas City from contention.

Cleveland is a lakefront city that has invested billions in recent years to shake off its Rust Belt roots, a Democratic stronghold in a key battleground. Dallas is at the center of the modern GOP, home to the party’s last president and an unusually long list of its top donors.

“Cleveland is a tough competitor,” said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings.

Said Cleveland’s bid committee chairman, Terry Egger: “There are those that would say we were the underdog all along, yet here we stand.”

The decision sets up an unusual head-to-head competition for the convention. It’s a marquee event that brings 50,000 people, millions of dollars and worldwide attention to a host city — along with extensive security and logistical challenges — every four years as the party nominates its presidential candidate and showcases its message to voters for the fall.

The finalists may have a chance to sweeten their offers to the GOP, but so far, they bring similar strengths to the table.

Cleveland boasts a revamped downtown, even as Dallas touts the Arts District. The Ohio competitor has a respectable kitty of $25 million — more than a third of the sum it would need to host the event — though Dallas already has $46 million on the table. Both cities offer a good number of hotels near the proposed convention arena, an important factor for thousands of delegates and guests.

But Cleveland may have found a way to let the Republicans start their convention in late June — a trump card Dallas cannot match. And on the political front, Cleveland offers Republicans an opportunity to make a splash in Ohio, always a critical state in presidential contests — a selling point it’s also using to try to lure the 2016 Democratic convention.

Texas is solidly in the Republican column. Picking Dallas would ensure a friendly reception but might also signal that Republicans are somewhat worried about hanging onto the state in coming years.

The decision is expected to be finalized by early August.