Republican Party officials say Las Vegas and Cincinnati are no longer being considered for the 2016 event.

 

That leaves Dallas, Denver, Cleveland, and Kansas City, Missouri, under primary consideration.

 

Dallas is believed to be a major player in the competition, in part because of its coalition of wealthy donors with ties to the Bush family and the oil industry.

 

In a letter to the Republican National Committee, Las Vegas cites scheduling and facility problems in withdrawing its convention bid.

 

Las Vegas was thought to be a leader in the competition to win the convention, although some party officials worried that the city's reputation for excess could overshadow the event.