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Democrats ask Tampa to apply to host convention

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 5, 2009

Updated: 11/05/2009 02:06 pm

TAMPA - The Democratic party has joined the Republican National Committee in asking Tampa to apply to host its 2012 presidential election year national convention.

Tampa Bay & Co., Hillsborough County's visitors industry marketing group, has received a letter from the Democratic National Committee and will begin to study the prospects of applying to host the event, Tampa Bay & Co. executive vice president Steve Hayes said this afternoon.

Tampa Bay & Co. in August received notification from the Republican National Coimmittee seeking an application from Tampa to host the 2012 convention.

The local agency plans to send representatives to Washington on Tuesday to the Republican's "Interested Bid Cities" conference, Hayes said.

"Maybe we could get both of them," Hayes said with a grin.

Hosting a presidential convention requires millions of dollars or public expense, in particular for security, but also generates millions in local spending.

Tampa was considered to host Republican conventions in 2004 and 2008 but lost to New York in 2004 and Minneapolis-St. Paul in 2008.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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