Local democrats prepare for national convention after Biden steps aside

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Delegates from across the country will ultimately decide who steps in for President Biden at the democratic national convention next month.

Missouri is sending 70 delegates to the convention, including several from the Springfield area.

Even though almost all of Missouri’s democratic delegates already pledged their support to Biden, they are not required to vote for him to be the party’s nominee because of a ‘good conscience’ clause in the selection rules.

“I am anxiously awaiting to know what the Missouri delegate plan is in the coming days and weeks,” said State Representative Betsy Fogle.

Fogle says the news of Biden suspending his campaign is so fresh, she’s not sure what the party will do next.

“My assumption or my read on the situation based on other high profile Democrats intentionally endorsing Vice President Harris signals to me that they’re not interested in a primary or they’re not interested in running against her or seeking the nomination at the convention.”

Fogle says if Missouri delegates and delegates across the country all support Kamala Harris then she will also stand by that decision next month in Chicago.

“What I want everybody to know is that our country remains strong,” Fogle said. “And as long as we continue to remain unified, we will survive whatever the next stage looks like.”

Fogle tells me she trusts President Biden made the best decision for himself and for the country.

“My honest reaction to that is that he made the choice that he thought was in the best interest of our country,” Fogle said. “And I support and applaud him for it.”

Nanda Nunnelly from McDonald County is a super delegate for the DNC.

“I will support our Vice President,” Nunnelly said in a statement. “Kamala Harris is ready to be President on day one. President Biden chose her to be his VP, and I believe she is the best candidate to beat Trump.”

Nunnelly says she looks forward to seeing who Harris will choose as a running mate.

“I hope that all of us can take this opportunity to reflect on why we live in the greatest country in the world and move forward with this goal to reunify our country and to remain civil in the way that we disagree with one another,” Fogle said.

The DNC starts on Aug. 19 and wraps up on Aug. 22.

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