This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Republican Party has tapped former Utah Rep. Enid Greene Mickelsen to lead its committee that will pick the site of the GOP's 2016 national convention.
Mickelsen will work with a committee, to be picked Friday, that will decide between competing cities for the chance to host the big gathering that can draw tens of thousands of delegates and journalists and earn days of national TV coverage. Utah isn't bidding to host the convention this time around, though had been a finalist for the 2012 gathering.
"Selecting the right city for our 2016 Convention is an important decision that must be made carefully and methodically. I'm confident Enid Mickelsen is the right person to lead the Site Selection Committee in helping the RNC make that decision," RNC Chairman Reince Priebus in a statement. "Enid understands the many considerations that go into selecting the right city. She will draw upon her years of leadership and service to our party and country as she and the committee review the many great options."
Dozens of cities are likely to make bids to hold the convention, including Las Vegas, Denver and Kansas City. At least three Ohio cities are making plans to do so.
"Ultimately, I know we will find a host city that will make the 2016 convention an exciting time for all involved and a memorable event along our party's road to the White House," said Mickelsen, a former chairwoman of the Utah Republican Party.
Mickelsen served one term in the House from 1994 to 1995.— Thomas BurrTwitter.com/thomaswburr