Five cities alone account for 54 presidential nominating conventions, where members of the national political parties meet to adopt a platform and decide which candidates deserve their support in the race for the White House.
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So which cities are they?
Here are the five most popular cities chosen by the Republican and Democratic national committees to hold their conventions every four years
1. Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, the so-called Windy City, has hosted 25 presidential nominating conventions. That's the most of any city. "Chicago has been the nation's most popular political convention city, in part because of its geographic centrality," wrote R. Craig Sautter, an author of Inside the Wigwam: Chicago Presidential Conventions, 1860–1996.
Chicago has hosted:
- 14 Republican National Conventions
- 11 Democratic National Conventions
The most recent convention held in Chicago was in 1996, when Democrat Party met there and nominated President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore for second terms.More »
2. Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland, has hosted nine presidential nominating conventions, including the first-ever convention. The Democratic National Committee met there in 1832, the first time either of the major parties congregated to nominate a candidate and set a platform.
"The 1832 conventions played a crucial role in making organized parties a fixture of the U.S. political system. The Democratic convention adopted rules that succeeding conventions retained well into the 20th century," a Library of Congress document chronicling American political conventions states.
Baltimore has hosted:
- 8 Democratic National Conventions
- 1 Republican National Convention
The most recent convention held in Baltimore was in 1912, when the Democratic Party nominated Woodrow Wilson for president.More »
3. Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, site of the Constitution Convention of 1787 and signing of the Declaration of Independence, has hosted nine presidential nominating conventions. It will host its tenth convention in the summer of 2016, when the Democratic National Committee meets there to nominate a potential successor to President Barack Obama.
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Philadelphia is also notable for playing host to the last brokered convention, in 1948, which also happened to be the first televised national convention. The top contenders were New York Gov. Thomas Dewey, U.S. Sen. Robert A. Taft of Ohio, and former Minnesota Gov. Harold Stassen.
Combined, Philadelphia will has hosted or been chosen to host:
- 6 Republican National Conventions
- 3 Democratic National Conventions
The most recent convention held in Philadelphia was in 2000, when the Republican Party nominated former Texas Gov. George W. Bush for president.More »
4. New York City
New York City has hosted six presidential conventions, making it the fourth-most popular spot for a major party.
The conventions held in New York City include:
- 5 Democratic National Conventions
- 1 Republican National Convention
The most recent convention was held there in 2004, when the Republican Party nominated Bush for a second term in the White House.
5. St. Louis
St. Louis, Mo., has hosted five presidential nominating conventions, making it the fifth-most popular spot.
They include:
- 4 Democratic National Conventions
- 1 Republican National Convention
The most recent convention held in St. Louis was in 1916, when the Democratic Party nominated Wilson for another term as president.More »