Phoenix will not host the National Republican Convention in 2012, another blow to the state already besieged with financial problems and an economic boycott.
Tampa was awarded the convention. Phoenix was a finalist along with Salt Lake City and Tampa. Millions were at stake. The convention where President Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination generated $266 million in economic spending in the region, according to a Denver study.
Arizona Republicans estimated that the event could have brought as much as $200 million in convention revenue to Phoenix, and that they would push for Phoenix to host the 2016 convention.
The GOP convention will be held the week of Aug. 27.
Members of the local host committee congratulated Tampa, though officials said the call was "disappointing."
"I know this is a hard decision," said Bob Lavinia, chair of the Phoenix 2012 Host Committee that put together the bid, adding that it was uncertain if the controversy over Arizona's strict immigration-enforcement law played into the GOP's decision.
"We do have some issues here and we should join together to solve those issues," Lavinia said. "This city is ready to host large events."
At least one host committee member suspected that the immigration law shifted the advantage to Tampa.
"I can't imagine that it didn't have anything to do with it, but I hope not," said Gordon James, a member of the Arizona host committee.
When Republican officials called Arizona on Wednesday they said that the immigration debate did not factor into the decision to select Tampa.
"It was business decision," said Holly Hughes, chair of the Republican National Convention Site Selection Committee that vetted the three cities.
She added that committee members used convention center accommodations, hotel rooms and fundraising as factors in their decision.
Gov. Jan Brewer's office said in an email statement that she was "honored" that Phoenix was considered for her party's national convention. The statement, however, did not specifically address the national controversy over the immigration law, or what role that might have played in the RNC's selection.
"Clearly the committee was looking for a state with more electoral votes and potentially more of a battleground state for the presidential election," Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman said in an email.
Arizona currently has 10 electoral votes; Florida held 27 in the 2008 Presidential election.
Poster Comment:
"At least one host committee member suspected that the immigration law shifted the advantage to Tampa. "I can't imagine that it didn't have anything to do with it, but I hope not," said Gordon James, a member of the Arizona host committee."
Uh, huh. I'm sure that they'll be able to find the "path to citizenship" in Tampa.