New York City, vying to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention, has outlasted bids from the less-than-liberal states of Alabama and Arizona.

Now comes the hard part: vanquishing a challenge from a consummate Midwestern swing state and another from a Northeastern regional rival sometimes called, less than affectionately, a “sixth borough.”

The Democratic National Committee said on Monday that it had narrowed its list of possible convention sites in 2016 to Columbus, Ohio; New York City; and Philadelphia. The committee had previously been considering Birmingham, Ala., and Phoenix as well.

Officials said the convention would be held during one of the weeks beginning July 18, July 25 or Aug. 22. The committee is expected to announce the winner and set the date early next year.