WASHINGTON – Today, the Republican National Committee’s Site Selection Committee announced Cleveland, Ohio will be their recommendation to host the 2016 Republican National Convention. The RNC and Cleveland will now enter into exclusive negotiations on key details for the 2016 convention. The Site Selection Committee’s recommendation will be presented to the full Republican National Committee when they meet in Chicago in early August.
The Site Selection Committee’s recommendation remains contingent on successful contract negotiations and a final vote by Republican National Committee Members at the RNC’s summer meeting in Chicago.
Following today’s announcement, Site Selection Chairwoman Enid Mickelsen and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus issued the following statements:
Site Selection Chairwoman Enid Mickelsen:
“It’s my honor to announce Cleveland as the Site Selection Committee’s recommendation to host the 2016 Republican National Convention,” said Mickelsen. “Cleveland is a phenomenal city, and I can’t think of a better place to showcase our party and our nominee in 2016. This committee was tasked with difficult decisions and was presented with several strong options to host our convention. I’m confident Cleveland is the right pick for our next national convention. Cleveland has demonstrated they have the commitment, energy, and terrific facilities to help us deliver a history-making Republican convention.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to Dallas. Dallas is a world class city with wonderful venues and fantastic people and I’m certain they’ll make a great host for our party in the future. The Dallas team were excellent ambassadors for their city and showed both the committee and the RNC all the wonderful things the city has to offer.”
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus:
“A Cleveland convention offers our party a great steppingstone to the White House in 2016, and I’m encouraged by the committee’s recommendation. The team from Cleveland has gone above and beyond the call of duty and I think they’re representative of a city eager to show the country all the fantastic things they have to offer.
“The RNC set a new standard for conventions during this process. Not only will the convention be held earlier in 2016, but there are also substantial guarantees in place for funding that put us well ahead of previous conventions and will give our nominee the best opportunity to succeed.”
“I also want to thank Dallas. The hospitality shown by their city, their team and the Republican community in Dallas has been tremendous.”