PHOENIX — Phoenix could be one step closer to hosting the 2016 Republican National Convention. A field of eight cities will be trimmed Wednesday and Robert Graham, chairman with the Arizona Republican Party, expected the Valley to be in the mix.

“We started with 25 cities, now we’re at eight and hopefully we will be ultimately selected to host the event,” Graham said. “They will do site visits and a delegation of about 20 people will visit the cities.

“It’s our job to romance the committee and define the opportunities in Phoenix.”

Denver and Las Vegas are the other western cities in contention.

A final decision for host city is expected in the summer or fall.