Milwaukee now among three finalists to bid for 2020 Democratic National Convention

Bill Glauber | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Milwaukee was among four cities to make the the short list Wednesday to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

But soon after the Final Four was revealed, Denver was said to be planning to withdraw the application because the July 2020 dates don't work for the city, according to the Denver Post.

The other cities left are Houston and Miami Beach, according to a Democratic National Committee official.

Four of the eight finalists were knocked out: Atlanta, Birmingham, Ala., New York and San Francisco.

The convention will be held July 13-16, 2020.

The DNC site selection committee is expected to visit the finalists this summer, with the selection of the host city announced later this year or early in 2019.

Alex Lasry, a senior vice president of the Milwaukee Bucks, is the chair of the local committee. The city's new arena is being put forward as the main venue for the event.

Why Milwaukee wants to host the Democratic Convention in 2020 Reporter Bill Glauber talks about Milwaukee's bid to host the Democratic National Convention in 2020 and its reasons for doing it.

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“Milwaukee is very excited to be chosen as a finalist for the Democratic National Convention in 2020," Lasry said in a statement.

"Milwaukee has everything the DNC needs to put on a great convention: a brand-new arena, co-located convention space, and plenty of hotel rooms.

"Milwaukee knows how to handle big events and we know how to put on a great party. There is no place that will be more affordable for delegates and has better weather in July than Milwaukee," he said.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said: "The DNC would have a significant economic impact on our city, and I look forward to going through the next stages of the selection process. We have put together a compelling proposal and think we have a good chance at being selected as the host city."

Organizers have said the convention would bring an estimated 50,000 visitors and have a $200 million economic impact in Milwaukee.

The local committee is raising up to $1 million to go through the bid process. Based on the experience of recent convention cities, if Milwaukee wins the bid, the local committee would have to raise $50 million to $80 million to stage the event.