LAS VEGAS – Backed by one of the GOP’s most powerful benefactors, Las Vegas has emerged as an early leader in the multi-city fight to host the next Republican National Convention.
The competition is far from over as Republican officials weigh nagging concerns about unveiling the GOP’s next presidential nominee in a place commonly known as “Sin City” in the shadow of Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson. Political leaders from competing cities such as Dallas, Denver and Kansas City openly question Las Vegas’ image, while promoting their own network of billionaire donors as they jockey for any advantage they can find.
But all eyes are on Las Vegas, where a handful of prospective presidential candidates met privately with Adelson at his Venetian resort casino over the weekend.
“Sheldon wants it,” said former Nevada Gov. Bob List, a senior adviser to the Las Vegas bid. “It’s a business proposition. A city wanting this convention is going to need real money behind it.”
Among the world’s 10 richest people, the CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. has made no secret of his willingness to put his vast fortune behind the effort. He and his top advisers are playing an active role in the early planning and outreach. And he is not alone. The casino industry is largely unified behind the city’s 2016 bid.
The Republican National Committee on Wednesday narrowed the field of possible convention cities from eight to six, eliminating Columbus, Ohio, and Phoenix from a list that now includes Las Vegas, Denver, Dallas, Kansas City, Mo., and two others in Ohio – Cleveland and Cincinnati.
Republican officials plan to pick the host city this summer.
Dallas is considered a major player in the competition, in part because of its coalition of wealthy donors with ties to the Bush family and the oil industry.
Denver’s political leaders have raised concerns about Las Vegas
“There’s a lot of places you can get in trouble in Vegas,” noted Owen Loftus, a spokesman for the Colorado Republican Party.
The Denver effort is chaired by Molson Coors Chairman Pete Coors and includes conservative billionaire Phillip Anschutz.
Kansas City Mayor Sly James, a Democrat leading the bipartisan group to win the Republican convention, highlighted the city’s central location and community approach. The billionaire conservative donors, Charles and David Koch, based in nearby Wichita, Kan., have not played a role in the city’s bid, although organizers hope to attract their support.
“Dallas is big. It’s got its millionaires. Hooray, I’m happy for them,” James said. “And Las Vegas has got all of its other stuff – and it’s very well-known, and very popular for those who want to partake.”
Kansas City, he said, is full of “people who have good solid Midwestern values.”
Meanwhile, in a law firm conference room several miles from the Las Vegas Strip, a confident List said he expects his city to be a finalist.
The rift within the state GOP is improving, he says, following a 2012 libertarian takeover of several party leadership positions. And he says the city’s infrastructure has no rival: The city has more hotel rooms, conference space and world-class entertainment than most of the competing cities combined.
“We’re proud of this city,” List said. “We can’t wait to show it off.”
