Alabama Democratic Party chair upset with delegation selection

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — Claims of discrimination against the Democratic Party are causing controversy in Alabama.

The dispute stems from Alabama Democrats not being allowed to choose their own delegates to represent the Joe Biden 2024 presidential campaign at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Randy Kelley, chair of Alabama Democratic Party, said none of the Democrats the Democratic National Committee selected were voted on by Alabama Democrats. He said it is discriminatory, and the delegates do not represent the voter population in Alabama. Kelley said the DNC is diminishing Black voter representation.

“It’s a violation of the Voting Rights Act, violation of the 14th Amendment and the 15th Amendment as far as I can see,” Kelley said.

Josh Coleman, member of the national committee, said otherwise.

“If we really look at the reflection of the party across the state of Alabama, the group of delegates that have been elected to serve in Chicago reflect the Democratic Party,” Coleman said.

Wayne Rogers is the Jefferson County Democratic Party chair. He said in some states, campaigns can elect to choose their own delegates. Each state creates a delegation selection plan, which is approved by national and state parties. Rogers said Alabama’s plan allowed for the Biden campaign to choose their own delegates.

Historically, this is not uncommon, according to Rogers.

“There are multiple states around the country this year that the Biden campaign selected their own delegates. … Jimmy Carter selected his own delegates,” Rogers said. “It is more common for an incumbent president to do something like this.”

The DNC-selected delegates will represent Alabama at the convention in Chicago from Aug. 19-22.

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