DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – The Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago on Monday. Conventions are usually an opportunity to spur political activists and volunteers behind the scenes before they hit the field to get their candidates on the ballot. This convention, however, could be different because President Joe Biden has decided to step off the ballot.
State Senator Janice Weiner of Iowa City is this year’s delegate.
“It’s going to be wonderful to be with people from all over the country this week. This truly historic week. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be right now,” she said.
This is her first time attending the DNC and she is most looking forward to breaking the glass ceiling by nominating and electing Vice President Harris. “I’m really looking forward to Thursday night when we take that step to take back our rights and show every little girl in this country that they can actually be president,” Weiner said.
CJ Petersen, who works in State Auditor Rob Sand’s office, is a delegate and this is also his first DNC. He is most looking forward to hearing Harris’s running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, speak.
Petersen says that’s because in the 1990s, when Walz taught at a high school in rural Minnesota, he helped start the first LGBTQ student club. “It wasn’t a popular thing, it was a way to protect a child who needed an adult to take care of them,” Petersen said.
The convention gives the party the opportunity to sell its program to the American people.
Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Rita Hart says Democrats need to use this time to highlight policies passed by the Biden-Harris administration. “It’s really important that legislation like the Anti-Inflation Act and the Infrastructure Act have done great things for the United States of America, but also for the people of Iowa,” she said.
There are currently no policy proposals on Harris’ campaign website, but Hart says Harris’ vision is practical and her concrete plans will help Iowans with economic issues.
Megan Goldberg, a professor of political science at Cornell University, says this convention may attract more attention than usual because of the ticket change.
“This is a different platform than we expected. I think people may be tuning in to hear from candidates they haven’t heard much about, especially Walz, especially if they’re not from the Midwest,” she said.
Goldberg says the convention will reach a larger audience than usual because the DNC has invited social media influencers to cover it. “Some of them are known for makeup tutorials or other things, so they could reach a whole different segment of the American public by talking about the DNC on their platforms,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg says the convention is also an opportunity for the campaign to focus on its policy goals.
“There’s a lot of unity building right now around Harris as a candidate and as a person, and so I think the convention is an opportunity to bring to the forefront some of the policy concerns that they have,” Goldberg said.
If she wants to take this opportunity, it could also be a chance for her to highlight how she is different from Biden.
Speakers on Monday include President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Hillary Clinton.
Here’s how you can watch:
ABC: 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. CST Monday – Thursday
NBC: Monday and Tuesday, 9:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. CST, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. CST
CBS: 9:00-10:00 p.m. CST Monday – Thursday
Streaming: Viewers can follow live coverage from our Local News Live and Washington Bureau teams in Chicago through their local Gray Television station’s streaming service and mobile apps. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. CST and runs until 10 p.m.
LIVE: Democratic Party Convention
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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email to [email protected]; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.
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