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WASHINGTON -

Democrats have narrowed the list of contenders for their 2016 national convention to three cities: Columbus in Ohio, New York and Philadelphia.

The Democratic National Committee said convention bids from Birmingham, Alabama, and Phoenix have been eliminated.

Party officials announced the three finalists on Monday.

The convention site is where the party will formally nominate its next presidential candidate.

The convention will be held on either the weeks of July 18, July 25 or August 22. The site will be announced in early 2015.

The decision is based on several factors, including the city's ability to raise millions of dollars to host the event, along with the potential venues, hotels and transportation options.

"I've said before that for the Democrats, the road to the White House leads right through the city of Philadelphia," said Mayor Michael Nutter in response to the DNC's announcement. "We're unquestionably the best site for the convention we have the best venue, a vibrant and easily accessible center city, and a team that knows how to stage major events like political conventions."

Nutter and Ed Rendell, the city's former mayor and Pennsylvania's former governor, played host to DNC members in August. Rendell, a past chairman of the DNC, said more must now be done to convince the Democrats' decision-makers that Philly is the right choice.

"It's great to make the finals, but it's still a wide-open competition, and we must use the time between now and the announcement of the winner to make it clear that Philadelphia is the very best choice for the Democrats in 2016," Rendell said. "Now is the time for the city and the entire region to work in partnership to win the bid."

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Philadelphia among finalists for Democrats' 2016 convention