CHICAGO, IL- The 2024 Democratic National Convention kicked off on Monday in Chicago. President Joe Biden will take the stage trying to rally up support for Vice President Kamala Harris. We sent Washington DC bureau correspondents Rachel Knapp and Brendan Scanland to the windy city to cover the event and speak with local delegates.
Security was tight getting into the area, which was expected. Heightened security was something our team noticed when they covered the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago.
There were protests about a half mile away from the United Center, where the DNC convened. According to reports, four were arrested for breaching the perimeter. Protesters there are upset about the Biden Administration’s aid to Israel during their conflict against Hamas.
We spoke with several people from the Pennsylvania delegation, including Lt. Governor Austin Davis (D- PA). Davis told Erie News Now he’s excited to rally around this historic nomination and also spoke about how crucial it is to win over swing counties like Erie County.
“We recognize elections, particularly presidential elections in Pennsylvania are close,” said Lt. Governor Davis. “The last presidential election was decided by less than a percentage point and i expect this race to be as equally as close. The resources we spend on the ground, the time the candidates spend campaigning across the commonwealth is very important. Pennsylvania in a lot of ways is representative of America. We know that you win Pennsylvania by showing up in every community by listening by respecting voters and by putting forward a vision that addresses the issues for them and their families.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was one of the speakers on the first night. In her roughly five minute speech, she spoke about former President Donald Trump’s criminal indictment and called him a fraud.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D- MI) spoke to delegates early Monday morning. She told them that the stakes in this election are so high.
“We are lucky to have someone like Kamala Harris at the top of our ticket with Tim Walz,” said Governor Whitmer. “They are going to be a dynamic duo and they’re going to deliver for Pennsylvanians and Michiganders alike, but we got to deliver for them.”
Hilary Clinton, who won the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 but lost the election to Trump, will also take the stage. We expect President Joe Biden to finish the speeches tonight, trying to rally support for Harris.
