Former governor Ed Rendell to serve as guest editor for Metro on DNC’s opening day

Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell will serve as a special guest editor of Metro Philly on opening day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, on July 25, the paper’s editors announced Tuesday.

Once nicknamed “America’s Mayor” by Al Gore, Rendell will edit a section of the Monday edition, keeping Philadelphians abreast ofthe latest DNC-related news both in print and on the web at metro.us/philly-dnc.

As guest editor, Rendell will be highlightingcertain stories he wants people to know about that Monday.

“We really want this to be a great convention for the Democratic Party –but also for the people of Philadelphia –we’re doing the Political Fest, the Donkeys Around Town…we’ll be doing a lot of fun and enjoyable things that Monday, the first opening day,” he said.

Rendell is the former two-term district attorney of Philadelphia, two-term mayor of Philadelphia, two-term governor of Pennsylvania and former chairman of the DNC during the 2000 presidential election. He also serves asthis year’s 2016 DNC Host Committee Chair. Known for his larger-than-life personality, Rendell has a storied career in Pennsylvania in public service and as an attorney with Ballard Spahr.

“This city’s rich history and vibrancy make it the ideal backdrop for this summer’s historic event, and I am excited to be a part of Metro’s team to showcase how to be a Philadelphian to delegates and how to be a delegate to Philadelphians,” he said.

Metro will celebrate the DNCbeing held in Philadelphia with a special edition newspaper and dedicated magazine that week.

On July 25, Metro will print a special, keepsake edition with a bright, white cover and Rendell’s face out front.

In addition, Metro will print 100,000 copies of a glossy magazine on the convention. Features will include “Live Philadelphia Like A Delegate” – with info about events happening around the convention — and “Experience The DNC Like A Philadelphian” – with neighborhood-by-neighborhood guides to the convention, restaurants and more. The magazine will be inserted in every copy of the paper on July 25, with additional copies overprinted and distributed at hotels, venues and high-traffic events throughout the week. Copies will also be distributed at Political Fest,special events around Philadelphia designed to engage and entertain visiting delegates as well as in-town residents.

Rendell said he is excited for this year’s head of the DNC, the Rev. Leah Daughtry, who he said brings “invaluable experience” to the table, having come from a church background.

“I think the fact that she’s a reverend – used to handling people’s problems – and the DNC must have a people person good at resolving disputes,” he quipped.

This year’s DNC runs from July 25 through 28 at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philly.