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2020 DNC Host Finalists Narrow to 3 Cities

Houston is one of three cities still in the running to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention after party officials cut the list of potential sites in half.

By Mike Morris

Houston is one of three cities still in the running to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention after party officials cut the list of potential sites in half.

Mayor Sylvester Turner kicked off Wednesday's regular city council meeting with the announcement, noting that Milwaukee, Denver and the Miami area were the other remaining finalists. By the end of the meeting, however, he said Denver had withdrawn its bid, leaving Houston as one of three finalists.

Amber Miller, a spokeswoman for the city of Denver, confirmed that her city had withdraw its bid due to scheduling conflicts.

"Our chances have gotten exponentially better," Turner said. "I'm excited about the proposal we submitted."

The council earlier this month passed a resolution affirming that Houston's safety and logistics services will be marshaled sufficiently to support the gathering if Houston is chosen as the host city. Initial proposals were due last Friday, the mayor said.

City officials said if Houston is chosen to host the event, a committee will be formed to raise private dollars to help pay for it, revenues that will be used in part to reimburse the city for its share of the costs, as was done after last year's Super Bowl; the Houston Rockets, the memo adds, have agreed to provide the Toyota Center as the official Convention site.

Cities culled from the list were Atlanta, Birmingham, New York City and San Francisco.

Houston previously hosted the 1992 Republican convention at the Astrodome, as well as the 1928 Democratic convention.

Turner said he also wants to bid on hosting the 2024 Republic National Convention when the time comes.

"It's all about marketing and selling the city of Houston," the mayor said.

The Harris County Democratic Party cheered the news in a statement: "Democrats are energized and we know 'It All Starts Here' because Harris County is ground zero for turning Texas blue and when we flip the state, the country comes with us."

(c)2018 the Houston Chronicle

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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