2016 Democratic National Convention Site: Philadelphia Beats Out Columbus, NYC

Philadelphia will host the 2016 Democratic Convention to nominate the party’s candidate for president, the Democratic National Committee announced Thursday morning. The other finalists were New York City and Columbus, Ohio.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., who also serves as the chairwoman of the DNC, said in a statement that the committee and the city of Philadelphia signed a contract to host the convention on Thursday morning. “I am thrilled to announce that Philadelphia will host the convention where we will nominate the 45th president of the United States,” Wasserman Schultz said. “In addition to their commitment to a seamless and safe convention, Philadelphia’s deep-rooted place in American history provides a perfect setting for this special gathering. I cannot wait to join Democrats across the country to celebrate our shared values, lay out a Democratic vision for the future, and support our nominee.”

The convention is scheduled to be held the week of July 25, while the GOP convention is to run the previous week in Cleveland, according to CNN. Philadelphia last held a national party convention in 2000, when then-Texas Gov. George Bush was nominated by the Republicans.

Ed Rendell, a former Pennsylvania governor, Philadelphia mayor and chairman of the DNC, headed the city’s bid to host the 2016 convention.