National GOP officials moving in for convention

The Republican National Convention in St. Paul is 18 months away, but planning is starting to ramp up. Two national Republican party officials came to St. Paul on Thursday to meet with Twin Cities media and look for office space and housing.

The convention will take place at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul the first week of September 2008.

Jo Ann Davidson is a co-chair of the National Republican Committee and will chair the convention's committee on arrangements. That committee oversees all the details of the convention, from decorating the convention hall to arranging delegate transportation and housing.

Davidson says the Twin Cities has a lot to offer.

"The enthusiasm of the community, the community leaders, Governor Pawlenty, Senator Coleman, Mayor Coleman and Mayor Rybak and the great working relationship they have. We're excited about the venues and looking forward to hosting this convention with your two cities next year," she said.

Davidson was joined by RNC colleague Maria Cino, a former Bush appointee in the Department of Transportation. Cino is now the Committee on Arrangement's CEO. She says she will be opening up an office in downtown St. Paul in the next couple of weeks and will make St. Paul her second home over the next 18 months.

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