Fresno DNC delegate expects excitement at upcoming convention

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – On the heels of President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 race, there’s lots of uncertainty surrounding the Democratic National Convention (DNC).

Fresno native Eric Payne is one of the Democratic delegates who will cast his vote at the DNC next month in Chicago. He says he expects lots of enthusiasm in response to Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the likely presidential nominee.

“She’s young vibrant, brilliant, intelligent, educated, and has a deep sense of understanding of electoral politics. Having served a long tenure in the U.S. Senate, representing the State of California, and then her experience as D.A. of San Francisco,” he said. “I do expect there to be a lot of excitement around Vice President Harris and her candidacy.”

Payne says that excitement extends to party members on both sides of the aisle.

“This is going to be an exciting presidential election to watch,” he said. “To see Vice President Harris take the national stage and really center the needs of people in a way that I don’t think we’ve ever seen before. I think what’s most exciting is that Democrats and Republicans alike are excited for her candidacy.”

Despite the excitement, Payne believes safety will be front of mind for many of the delegates in attendance.

“After the attempted assassination of a presidential nominee in Pennsylvania, I think it’s concerning on a number of different levels for me,” he explained. “I would imagine that there are going to be heightened security measures going into this convention, probably unlike anything we’ve ever seen in the past.”

Payne said he expects the DNC to begin organizing the next steps in just a few days.

“The DNC is preparing all of the national delegates with a number of meetings in the upcoming days to give us a better sense of the voting process, and what we should be expecting at the national convention in Chicago,” he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.