By Reid Wilson | The Washington Post
The Republican National Committee on Thursday named eight cities as finalists for its 2016 convention.
After accepting bids from dozens of potential applicants, the committee will choose between Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Denver, Dallas, Kansas City, Las Vegas and Phoenix, RNC chairman Reince Priebus said in a tweet.
A site selection committee, elected at an RNC meeting in Washington last month, will evaluate bids from the eight finalists. At stake for the winning city: Up to 40,000 visitors, millions of dollars in economic activity and the national spotlight when Republicans gather to formally nominate a presidential candidate.
At an RNC meeting last month in Washington, five cities running some of the most active campaigns plied members with popcorn, free drinks and gift bags, all aimed at winning over fans. All five of the cities that pitched the RNC — Kansas City, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Columbus — made the final cut.
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