Democrats choose Philadelphia for 2016 convention

 Shown is the skyline in Philadelphia, Thursday, March 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Shown is the skyline in Philadelphia, Thursday, March 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The city of Philadelphia has been tapped to host the Democratic National Convention in 2016. 

An elated Rep. Bob Brady (D-Philadelphia), who from the beginning has pushed the idea of Philadelphia hosting the convention, confirmed the news.

“Debbie Wasserman Schultz called me and told me they are going to ask the city of Philadelphia to host the convention,” he said.

 

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

See you soon, Philadelphia! #DNC16 pic.twitter.com/xBeJhYMWFX

— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) February 12, 2015

 

Brady says there is a lot of work to be done to make the major event happen.

“We got to sign the contracts, now we got to start raising the money and put the logistics together. Everybody’s geared up to do that.”

Brady says it was a team effort to bring the convention to town, beating out Brooklyn, New York and Columbus Ohio.

Mayor Michael Nutter said he got the call early this morning.

“I was just kinda sitting there getting ready for my day and I got a call from Debbie Wasserman Schultz asking if we would be the host city,” Nutter said and that he screamed back “yes!”

Last summer former Gov. Ed Rendell said Philadelphia will have to raise $40 million to host the gathering.  Nutter said Thursday that number could be more like between $70 million and $80 million.

Philadelphia hosted the Republican National Convention in 2000.  The Democrats’ gathering will happen less than a year after Pope Francis visits Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families this September.  

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal