On the heels of what was a historically significant month in American politics and the direction of the Democratic Party, Lake Oswego resident Diane Grover served as an Oregon delegate in the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois this week.
She described the excitement of the event — which celebrated the selection of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party nominee in the presidential election — as palpable and magical.
“We are excited. We are optimistic. We are really enthusiastic about Kamala as our nominee and we are very hopeful,” Grover said. “There is no division to speak of. People are inspired to get involved in the process.”
Grover said serving as a convention delegate had been her dream since she was 6 years old, and she first realized that dream in 2020 when she was also an Oregon delegate. However, this year marked her first in-person convention in that role. Grover, who has been active in Oregon Democratic Party politics — including serving on committees with the Democratic Party of Oregon and Clackamas County Democrats — ran a campaign and was elected as the 5th Congressional District delegate. In total, there were 78 Oregon delegates.
Grover said there was a sense of optimism and relief in the room this week as well as appreciation for President Joe Biden, who decided not to run for reelection following a shaky debate performance and continual questions about his age and mental acuity. And she said to be in the room the night of Biden’s convention speech was powerful.
“I think people are somewhat relieved because people were generally concentrating on his age instead of all the things he’s done. He passed more legislation than almost any president in recent history,” Grover said.
Grover said the general refrain amongst many of the speakers was the desire not to return to the “chaos” of Republican Party nominee and former President Donald Trump’s presidency or policies from 50-plus years ago; she also said speakers emphasized the party as welcoming to everyone and that people who think differently are still neighbors, not enemies.
Grover added that the Oregon delegation was a microcosm of the party itself, with a diverse array of delegates as young as 18 years old and as old as 70s.
“We were talking about hope over fear, unity or division, opportunities where everyone in the country gets a fair shot, not just a select few. Those were important distinctions,” Grover said. “We are a big tent party. We want to include everyone regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, all those things Republicans try to divide us by, and (emphasize) that we have solutions to the problems instead of trying to make a political point.”
Lowering drug prices, strengthening abortion rights, bringing back a child tax credit and finding solutions to inflation were among points of interest brought up at the convention, Grover said. She also noted that a number of Republicans spoke at the convention and warned about a second Trump presidency.
Since obtaining the nomination, Harris has risen in the polls and may be edging Trump in some swing states, although the election is still projected to be a toss up. Grover said she did not have a crystal ball but was optimistic.
“I remain very hopeful. I think she has flipped the script a bit,” Grover said. “We want to move on from all the chaos and the division. That is one thing Kamala definitely brings; she’s a worker and, contrary to what Trump says, she’s extremely smart and hardworking and will do what’s best for everyone, not just a handful of her friends. I think that resonates with people, that she could make a difference in ‘my’ life.”
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