GOP expected to formalize Cleveland convention bid

The Republican National Committee is expected to officially name Cleveland host of the 2016 national convention during its annual conference in Chicago.

The party's site selection committee picked Cleveland over Dallas and Denver last month. That decision must be ratified by the 168-member RNC on Friday.

Convention planning continues in Cleveland, especially key fundraising efforts. The RNC expects Cleveland's host committee to raise about $60 million for expenses.

The committee is currently estimated to have pledges of about $25 million. The private, nonprofit JobsOhio program has pledged $10 million, and the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County have pledged $2.5 million each.

A host committee official would not say how much has been pledged but said the panel and RNC will start to approach national sponsors.