Schwarzenegger weighs in favoring Ohio's capital as site of 2016 Republican convention

3/3/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLUMBUS — Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is putting his muscle behind a bid by Ohio’s capital to host the 2016 Republican National Convention.

Columbus leaders incorporated a letter of endorsement from the champion bodybuilder, movie star and Republican politician into their bid presentation Monday in Washington, D.C.

Schwarzenegger wrote that Columbus has been “an extremely successful” location for his annual Arnold Sports Festival. The event has grown since the 1970s from a one-day men’s bodybuilding competition to the largest multi-sport fitness festival in the world.

Columbus is among eight finalist cities in the convention competition. The list includes two others in Ohio: Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Cleveland’s presentation was scheduled later Monday. Cincinnati’s scheduled bid presentation was among several postponed Monday due to weather issues.