Baldwin connected with the family-forward messaging seen in Walz’s acceptance speech on Wednesday, opening with an anecdote about her family.
“We know that all families don’t look alike. My mother was a teenager when I was born, and she struggled with addiction. I never met my father. But I had two incredible grandparents who stepped in and raised me,” Baldwin said. “When I work to protect Medicare and social security, I do it with a personal knowledge of what those big programs meant in small but deeply meaningful ways to my grandparents.”
Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. Jasper Colt, USA TODAY
Baldwin contrasted her position, and that of the Democratic party, with that of Donald Trump, who in the past said that he was “open to” cuts on Social Security and Medicare. Baldwin said that Harris and Walz would protect Social Security and ended the speech with an upbeat shoutout to her home state.
“We Democrats, we honor our elders and ask the wealthy to pay their fair share,” Baldwin said. “Wisconsin’s state motto is “Forward,” and my friends, that’s where we’re headed,” Baldwin said.
The DNC takes place in Chicago through Thursday evening, when Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to formally accept the party’s presidential nomination.
What to know about Sen. Tammy Baldwin
Who is she? Baldwin was first elected into the U.S. Senate in 2012 and is running against Republican Eric Hovde in the general election in November in what is projected to be a close race . Baldwin’s seat is a priority for both parties as the Democrats fight to maintain their slim majority in the Senate.
What role does she play? After growing up with a mother affected by opioid addiction, Baldwin worked in the U.S. Senate to support local prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts throughout the state. She also authored legislation signed into law by President Obama that strengthened oversight of the VA’s opioid prescribing practices and provided safer and more effective care for veterans. Baldwin also championed the Affordable Care Act and the RAISE Family Caregivers Act.
Key quote : “My grandparents were there for me, and as they grew older, it was my privilege to be there for them. So when I work to protect Medicare and Social Security, I do it with a personal knowledge of what those big programs meant in small but deeply meaningful ways to my grandparents,” she added.
The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, will be the main venue for the DNC.
Chicago has hosted the Democratic Convention 11 times, most recently in 1996 when the United Center saw President Bill Clinton nominated for a second time.
How to watch and stream the 2024 DNC
The convention will air live on its website from the United Center in Chicago between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern (5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) on Monday, and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) the other days.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Local News
