Portland Declines Nomination to Compete to Host 2016 Democratic National Convention

President Barack Obama and Gov. John Kitzhaber in 2012
By AARON MESH

It turns out Portland could be more blue.

Mayor Charlie Hales' office has declined an offer from the Democratic National Committee to compete to host the party's 2016 national convention.

The DNC placed Portland among about 30 cities tapped as possible hosts for the Presidential nominating convention, according to CNN.

But Hales' office turned the offer down.

"Gail Shibley [the mayor's chief of staff] got a letter from the DNC asking if cities are interested," says Hales' spokesman Dana Haynes. "She has sent a 'regrets only' response, that the city is not interested."

Haynes did not immediately explain why the city declined to make a hosting bid.

Portland has previously provided a raucous reception for Democratic Presidential candidates. In 2008, Barack Obama's visit drew a record crowd of 75,000 people to Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Oh, well: Maybe Fred Armisen can do some Obama impersonations in 2016.

WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.