LAURA BRAY

Kendall County Democratic Party Chair

Before you read my Convention report below:

Many of you shared that you watched the Convention and were completely energized.

GREAT!

Now what’s ONE THING MORE you can sign up to do to help???

 If you need ideas, email me at chair@kendalltxdemocrats.org

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life! By my count, I heard speeches from:

·       Three Presidents (favorite speech: Barack Obama)

·       One Vice President (favorite speech: Kamala Harris)

·       Four First Ladies/Second Gentleman (favorite speech: Michelle Obama)

·       Five sitting or former Cabinet Secretaries (favorite speech: Pete Buttigieg)

·       Eleven Governors (favorite speech: Andy Beshear)

·       Eighteen US Senators (favorite speech: Elizabeth Warren)

·       27 US Representatives (favorite speech: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez)

among countless others. Visit the DNC’s YouTube channel to have another look at the speeches.

And saw performances by (among other, lesser-known performers):

·       Stevie Wonder

·       Patti LaBelle

·       John Legend and Sheila E

·       Pink

·       The Chicks

My sister saw me on CNN that first night (see photo below), but other than that, I didn’t “pop up” anywhere else in the national coverage, as far as I know. Not hardly surprising, given that there were 10K people on/near the floor.



Tuesday night’s Roll Call of the States was surprisingly entertaining. I’ve reported before that, due to some screwy filing deadlines in Ohio, the DNC held a Virtual Roll Call about ten days prior to the Convention to officially nominate VP Harris. So the Tuesday night Roll Call was purely ceremonial. DJ Griffith kept the energy going as the DNC Secretary called on each state/territory to report its vote. When a state was called, its seating area was illuminated (a masterwork of lighting logistics), and the designated speaker appeared on the JumboTron (and your TV screens). Georgia “won” the “Best Roll Call Announcement” when they rolled out rapper Lil Jon to introduce their segment. Texas’s announcement focused on the state’s strict abortion ban and featured Eva Longoria, former Planned Parenthood Chair Cecile Richards, and Kate Cox, the woman who had to flee the state to get a life-saving abortion. TDP Chair Gilberto Hinojosa then announced the Texas vote (rather ungraciously, I might add).

The days were long (credential pick-up every day at 6am at the Texas hotel, and evening speeches weren’t over until 11pm). But the energy every evening at the United Center was completely electric. Security was tight, and despite some protestors, everything proceeded mostly without incident. (Some logistical problems notwithstanding.)

I met some amazing folks from around the state and around the world. (US territories abroad had delegations, and I traded a pin with Angelo (pictured below) from the Northern Marianas!)

When I walked into the arena that first night, I stopped and did two things: 1) Told my Mom, “Look Mom, I made it!” and 2) felt your presence behind and around me, and wrapped myself up in it. You were *absolutely* there with me in spirit. It was truly my honor to represent you on the national level.

Let’s go WIN THIS in November!