Philadelphia will host the 2016 Democratic National Convention, the party announced Thursday, beating out New York City and Columbus, Ohio.
“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,” DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said. “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.”
There was some speculation that Democrats would choose to anchor their convention in New York, where Hillary Clinton’s likely presidential campaign would almost certainly be headquartered. But Clinton, the prohibitive Democratic frontrunner should she run for president, has some family roots in Pennsylvania: her grandfather, she has mentioned publicly before, has ties to Scranton, Pa.
Vice President Joe Biden, who has flirted with the idea of a 2016 presidential bid, was also born in Scranton.
Democrats will hold their convention starting July 25, 2016, the week after Republicans host their convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
The conventions have evolved in recent election cycles into extended, multi-million-dollar made-for-TV productions, designed to introduce the parties’ nominees to the broader American public. Whereas conventions were previously funded with federal money, Congress last year changed the rules to allow private donations.
