It's official: Philadelphia to host 2016 Democratic Convention

Philadelphia has been selected to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention, DNC chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced this morning.

The city beat Columbus, Ohio, and Brooklyn, for the event, which will take place the week of July 25, 2016.

"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," Wasserman Schultz said in a statement.

The DNC evaluated cities on factors that included transportation, security, finances, logistics and hotel capacity.

City leaders had aggressively wooed the selection committee, touting the city's vibrancy, history, landmarks, transit and hotel capacity. The city had also sought to assure the selection committee it could line up the funding necessary for the convention, and that the announced mayoral candidates were as supportive of hosting the event as current Mayor Nutter.

The convention also will come 10 months after the city will host a visit from Pope Francis in another high-profile event that will require extensive planning and security.

"The City of Philadelphia is excited and honored to be selected as the host city for the 2016 Democratic National Convention," Nutter said in a statement Thursday. "We believe that it was our proven track record of hosting big events safely and efficiently with a dynamic team of top-tier professionals to organize and manage a conference of this magnitude, paired with our City's tremendous amenities, its accessible location and historical significance, which made Philadelphia the ideal choice for the 2016 DNC."

Philadelphia hosted the Republicans' convention in 2000.

U.S. Rep. Robert Brady said he got the call from Wasserman Schultz on Thursday morning saying she was going to ask Philadelphia to host the 2016 convention."

Brady joked that "hugs work," in how Philadelphia was chosen.

"I hugged her every single day," in Washington D.C., Brady said. "Except for one day, she wasn't there and I hugged her chief of staff and he's a guy. I gave him a bear hug."

Jokes aside, Brady said the selection committee was impressed with the City of Brotherly Love.

"We have a great city, great historical sites, hotels," Brady said. "It's the best place to have it."

Now, the city needs to sign the contract, raise money "and put the pieces together," Brady said.

Josh Shapiro, Montgomery County Commissioners chairman, said the whole region came together to land the winning bid.

"We showcased our infrastructure, fund-raising abilities and commitment to the Democratic Party," Shapiro said. "We were the total package."

"Whether it was Bob Brady's hugs, Ed Rendell's calls, there was a total team effort," he said Thursday.

Source: Philly.com