Indiana Delegates Describe Democratic Convention As “Electric”

Source: Tom Williams / Getty

CHICAGO — Many of Indiana’s delegates are going to the Democratic National Convention for the first time.

The convention is in Chicago this year and is being held under unique circumstances given President Biden’s exit from the presidential race and most Democrats throwing their lot in with Vice-President Kamala Harris.

Harris’ nomination is pretty much a formality at this point as recent polling and the latest primary results have Harris securing enough support among Democrats nationwide to receive the party’s nomination for president. Still, it wasn’t always a sure thing.

“It changed things a lot because we were all bounded delegates to President Biden,” said Nick Roberts, who is one of Indiana’s Democratic delegates in Chicago. “But, after he dropped out we all became unbounded. We were not automatically committed to (Harris). We were open, we could have voted for anyone we wanted to, but 99-percent of delegates voted for the vice president, so it was pretty easy.”

Roberts is a member of the Indianapolis City-County Council.

President Biden spoke during the first night of the convention last night. Much of the evening was spent honoring the president for what he has done during his time in office. He told the crowd he loves America, and he’s not mad at the Democrats who asked him to drop out of the 2024 race.

Earlier in the night, first lady Jill Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and others hit the stage in support of Biden’s service and also to support Kamala Harris. Another Indiana delegate who was eager to hear them speak was Blythe Potter.

“I have yet to run into anyone who is disappointed in the decision to make (Harris) the top pick,” she said. “Particularly women and people of color. It is super exciting as a woman, as a mother, as a stepmother, to see someone who is like me.”

Overall Indiana has 88 delegates in Chicago who will ceremonially cast their ballots for Kamala Harris, who is expected to formally accept the Democratic nomination later this week.

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