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City pols push Brooklyn for 2016 Democratic National Convention

August 11, 2014 Heather Chin

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New York City politicians are not mincing words when it comes to voicing their support for the possibility of the 2016 Democratic National Convention (DNC) coming to Brooklyn.

Two months after Mayor Bill de Blasio sent a formal bid proposing Barclays Center, located at Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues, as the host site for the major political conference, politicians from all five boroughs spoke out about why Brooklyn and New York City as a whole should be chosen.

Their support came as Democratic Committee officials arrived for a site visit and evaluation on August 11.

Often imitated, but never duplicated, Brooklyn isnt just a microcosm of America Brooklyn IS America, exclaimed Justin Brannan, president of the Bay Ridge Democrats. Were passionate, diverse, vibrant, talented, hardworking and completely unique. . . Im looking forward to riding the newly reinstated B37 from Bay Ridge right down to the Barclays Center and nominating thenext President of the United States!

New York is where Democratic values are more than words, its where Democrats have achieved real, meaningful progress that has made peoples lives better, said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. That’s why, in 2016,the Democratic Partythe Party of the Middle Classshould hold its convention in thehome of the middle class.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Carlo Scissura also enthusiastically supported the bid. Adams touted Brooklyns commitment to safety, existing transportation infrastructure and robust hospitality industry, while Scissura emphasized the boroughs new generation of doers and makers [that] represents the up-from-the-bootstraps American ideal better than any other city in the nation.

Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, also lent his support, noting the economic boost that such an event would bring to the city and state. There is simply no place quite like New York City, he said. Hosting the DNC would also be a significant boost to the regional economy, ultimately supporting jobs and economic activity in all five boroughs and beyond.

Six cities are finalists for contention to host the DNC. The other five are Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Birmingham, Alabama; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; and Phoenix, Arizona.