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Politics

Philadelphia will host 2016 Democratic National Convention

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Confetti fills the hall after President Obama spoke at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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President Obama on stage after speaking at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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President Obama’s family arrives on stage after he spoke at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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President Obama and family wave to the crowd at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama acknowledge the crowd at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Democrats cheer Vice President Joe Biden’s address at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, family members and others gather near the end of the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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The Obama family gathers onstage near the end of the Democratic National Convention.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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President Obama embraces wife Michelle before speaking at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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President Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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President Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Delegates cheer President Obama at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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President Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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President Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Vice President Joe Biden is joined onstage by his wife, Jill, after his speech at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Delegates cheer at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, enters to speak to delegates at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Sen. John F. Kerry speaks at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, right, waves with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz at the Democratic National Convention.

  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Marc Anthony sings the national anthem at the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Mary J. Blige performs at the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Joe Morgan and Jim Young of Colorado Springs dance at the Democratic National Convention 2012 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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North Carolina delegates cheer at the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Ronny Crawford of San Francisco wears a new tie he just bought at the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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A Maryland delegate wears a festive hat at the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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North Carolina delegate Judith Porter sports a 1960 hat at the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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People run for cover from the pouring rain during the final day of the Democratic National Convention outside the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.  (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)
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Singer Mark Anthony performs the national anthem as a color guard stands by at the final session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Shawn Threw / EPA)
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Singer James Taylor acknowledges the crowd at in Charlotte, N.C., on the final day of the Democratic National Convention.  (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images)
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Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) kisses his spouse Jim Ready (R) during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
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Former President Clinton is joined on stage by current President Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Michael Reynolds / EPA)
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This photo, courtesy of the Department of State, shows Secretary Hillary Clinton watching her husband Bill’s nomination of President Obama during the Democratic convention in Charlotte, N.C. at the residence of the U.S. ambassador to Timor Leste.  (Nick Merrill / AFP/Getty Images)
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Former President Bill Clinton and President Obama embrace on stage after Clinton’s speech at the Democratic National Convention.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Former President Clinton speaks at the Democratic National Convention.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Former President Clinton stirred the crowd with his address at the Democratic National Convention.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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The 42nd President of the U.S., Bill Clinton bows to the 44th President of the U.S. Barack Obama in Charlotte, N.C. on the second day of the Democratic National Convention.  (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images)
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Former President Clinton makes a point during his speech at the Democratic National Convention.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Delegates wave signs at the Democratic National Convention in Time Warner Cable Arena.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Former President Clinton arrives for his speech at the Democratic National Convention.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson watch the proceedings at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris speaks at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Costco cofounder Jim Sinegal speaks at the Democratic National Convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Attendees show their enthusiasm at the Democratic National Convention.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Branford Marsalis plays the national anthem at the convention.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Members of the North Carolina delegation join hands during the invocation at the convention.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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North Carolina delegate Ingrid Nurse, left, dances and sings of a second term for President Obama.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Virginia delegate Victoria Cochran adorned herself with her license plate.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Female members of the U.S. Senate gather onstage.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) addresses the convention delegates.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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California Senators Barbara Boxer, left, and Diane Feinstein on stage at the Democratic National Convention 2012 at Time Warner Cable Arena September 5 2012 in Charlotte.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka was among the speakers.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland introduces amendments reinstating references to God and Jerusalem in the Democratic Party platform.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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The youngest delegate Sam Gray, 17, from Marion, Iowa, meets the oldest delegate Elzena Johnson, 97, from Terry, Miss., at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Jae C. Hong / AP Photo)
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Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas leads the Pledge of Allegiance on the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Virginia delegate Victoria Cochran wears her license plate on the floor at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Kaying Thao from Minnesota wears a puppet of President Obama during day two of the Democratic National Convention Charlotte, N.C.  (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)
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World War II Navy veteran Roby Gilliam, 89, from Minerva, Ohio, salutes during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (David Goldman / AP Photo)
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First Lady Michelle Obama addresses the delegates during opening night ceremonies of the Democratic National Convention at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Michelle Obama addresses the delegates during the opening night ceremonies of the Democratic National Convention at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Michelle Obama addresses the delegates during the opening night ceremonies of the Democratic National Convention at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro waves before addressing the delegates during the opening night ceremonies of the Democratic National Convention at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is introduced by Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz on the opening night of the Democratic convention.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Congressional candidate Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii addresses delegates during the opening night ceremonies of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Delegate Priscilla Chavez of Las Cruces, N.M., cheers during the opening night ceremonies at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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“Glee” actress Amber Riley, left, sings the national anthem at the start of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. The Disabled American Veterans Honor Guard, right, presents the colors.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada speaks during the opening night ceremonies of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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A pocket image of President Obama is among the campaign paraphernalia making appearances at the Democratic convention.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Congressional candidate Joseph P. Kennedy III of Massachusetts waves to delegates after a speech during the opening night ceremonies of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Washington state delegate Chris Porter of Seattle has his picture taken in a booth at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa addresses the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz officially opens the Democratic convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Third-graders from W.R. O’Dell Elementary School in Concord, N.C., lead the Pledge of Allegiance during opening night ceremonies at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Attendees file into Time Warner Cable Arena for the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker speaks to the audience in Charlotte, N.C., on the first day of the Democratic National Convention.  (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images)
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White House photographer Lawrence Jackson arrives to photograph Michelle Obama’s arrival on the stage at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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First Lady Michelle Obama waves as she arrives for a sound check at the Time Warner Cable Arena.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Interior Secretary Ken Salazar walks on the floor prior to the start of day one of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)
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People hold campaign signs as the program starts during day one of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)
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First Lady Michelle Obama tapes a television interview upstairs at the Time Warner Cable Arena.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Members of the media scramble after Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa following his remarks at the opening press conference at the Charlotte Convention Center.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
By Kurtis Lee
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The Democratic National Committee on Thursday selected Philadelphia as the site of the party’s 2016 national convention, citing the city’s experience in hosting large-scale events.

Philadelphia, renowned for attractions such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, edged out Columbus, Ohio, and New York City for the opportunity to host delegates from across the country for a presidential nominating convention to be held much earlier in the election year than in previous cycles.

Last month, Democrats announced the convention would be held the week of July 25, 2016, several days after the Republican National Committee is scheduled to hold its convention in Cleveland. The Democrats’ choice to schedule a convention so close to the Republicans’ is viewed by some as an effort to slow any momentum the new GOP nominee will have coming out of the convention as they look to benefit from the committee’s general election funds.

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The Republicans’ choice of Cleveland renewed a debate over whether placing a party’s convention in a swing state, such as Ohio, can help tilt the vote in that state, though the theory hasn’t held up in past election cycles.

Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes are coveted in presidential elections. President Obama won the state in 2008 and 2012.

Logistics are also a factor in convention site choices: In a conference call with reporters Thursday, Democratic officials lauded Philadelphia for its public transportation and 18,500 downtown hotel rooms that are close to Wells Fargo Center, the convention’s venue.

“Delegate experience is important. We want our delegates to leave the convention energized,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the DNC’s chairwoman.

Republicans held their 2000 convention in Philadelphia, which Democratic Party and local officials said put the city in a strong position to host next year’s convention.

“We do big events well,” said Mayor Michael Nutter.

The convention adds to the roster of big events in Philadelphia’s future: In September, the city will host Pope Francis, who will take part in the World Meeting of Families conference and will celebrate a Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway that is expected to draw 2 million people.

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The DNC signed the final contract with Philadelphia on Thursday, and Philadelphia has committed to raising $85 million to host the convention. Cleveland committed to raising about $70 million to handle security and other expenses to host the Republican convention.

Pennsylvania Democrats who backed the city’s wooing of the DNC included former Gov. Ed Rendell, Sen. Bob Casey and Gov. Tom Wolf.

“We’ll replicate some stuff” from 2000, Rendell said of the GOP convention, which gave an estimated $345-million boost to the local economy. “Like the mayor said, we do big events well.”

Follow @kurtisalee and email kurtis.lee@latimes.com

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Kurtis Lee

Kurtis Lee is a former national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times. He wrote news features, narratives and enterprise on an array of topics — race, criminal justice, immigration, income inequality, the 2nd Amendment. He won first place in the 2021 National Headliner Awards for his series of stories about the COVID-19 pandemic on the Navajo Nation. Lee has filed reports from the unrest in Ferguson, Mo., and chronicled Donald Trump’s rise to the presidency. Prior to joining The Times in August 2014, Lee worked at the Denver Post where he covered state and national politics. He’s also reported from the scenes of destructive wildfires and mass shootings and was a member of the Post staff that won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news coverage of the Aurora theater shooting. He’s a graduate of Temple University.

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