The field of would-be host cities for the 2016 Republican convention was whittled by two on Thursday, after Las Vegas and Cincinnati were dropped from consideration.
The four remaining contenders are Cleveland, Dallas, Denver and Kansas City.
Las Vegas sent a letter earlier this week withdrawing from consideration based on its inability to guarantee that the main arena would be available for the amount of time needed to prepare.
After a conference call with members of the site selection committee, Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus notified local officials.
Vegas has drawn the lion’s share of attention as a potential host city. Some social conservatives were nervous about the optics — indeed, a liberal super PAC promised to send trackers after misbehaving politicians — but wealthy civic leaders spent a huge amount of money on top consultants to try assuaging fears.
Tampa, which hosted the 2012 convention, is known for its high concentration of strip clubs, after all. But the week went off without issue – except for canceling Monday’s program as Tropical Storm Isaac delivered a glancing blow.
Vegas had working in its favor the large number of hotel rooms and the amount of convention space. Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, the major GOP donor, was also a huge booster of the idea.
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