The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is set to take place in Chicago this week, and Arkansas Democrats are heading to the Windy City to show their support for Vice President Kamala Harris. The event will mark Harris' first opportunity to present herself to voters as the Democratic presidential nominee, and Arkansas Democrats believe she will put forward a campaign capable of defeating former President Donald Trump in November.
Arkansas Democrats are enthusiastic about Harris. They believe she is the right person to lead the party into the future and defeat Trump in the upcoming election. The convention comes after a month of changes to the Democratic Party's presidential ticket, with Harris accepting the torch from President Joe Biden and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz joining the Harris campaign as the party's vice presidential nominee.
In an interview with Arkies in the Beltway, Grant Tenille, chair of the Arkansas Democrats, said Arkansas Democrats supported the changing of nominees.
"In our meetings, as we talked through all this stuff, there was tremendous admiration expressed for President Biden, but there was also an absolute locked-in ironclad belief that we needed to make a change," Tenille said.
The Arkansas Democrats’ support for Harris is evident in the state's delegates to the DNC unanimously endorsing her, as reported by the Arkansas Advocate.
Jannie Cotton, vice chair of the Arkansas Democrats, explained that despite entering the race recently, voters have some familiarity with Harris.
"You're not just at the top of that ticket by yourself. You have a partner, and so Harris was already on the ticket and doing great things with President Biden, and so now she gets an opportunity to have her own dynamic that she brings to the table," Cotton said.
The Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus also hosted a virtual fundraiser for Harris, demonstrating the party's commitment to supporting her candidacy.
What Happens at the DNC
During the DNC, 4,000 delegates will meet to approve the party’s platform and recognize Harris as the nominee, according to CBS News.
The DNC's platform will focus on a number of issues, including:
- Affordable healthcare
- Climate change
- Gun control
- Education
- Economic inequality
These issues were listed on the DNC’s platform when Biden was still the nominee.
Arkansas’ Influence on the National Stage
Arkansas has been prominently featured at both the Republican and Democratic national conventions. Governor Sarah Sanders and Senator Tom Cotton spoke at the Republican National Convention, while former Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton addressed the Democratic National Convention.
Arkansas is not considered a swing state, but its national leaders are influential in both campaigns.
Former Governor Asa Hutchinson, who ran for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is attending the Democratic National Convention for the first time, working as a political analyst for a media outlet.
Hutchinson acknowledges the difference between the two parties, but he says there are still some similarities between the two conventions.
"I was at the Republican Convention and now the Democratic Convention, a lot of energy in both camps as you go into the fall campaign," Hutchinson says.
Hutchinson says there was energy at the Republican National Convention too, but there was also a tone of seriousness considering the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump.
Even in contrast, though, Hutchinson says there is still a common goal among the two parties.
"The guiding principle for both parties, though, is they want to win, and they think they’ve had a good foundation for it through the conventions they’ve had," Hutchinson says.
Hutchinson has encouraged Arkansans to pay close attention to the next 60 days in the election, as he believes this election is not just about the presidency but also about the House and the Senate.
The Impact of the DNC on Arkansas Politics
Arkansas Democrats believe that Harris' campaign could boost down-ballot candidates across the state, possibly ending the Republican supermajorities in both chambers of the state Legislature.
"These are the places where we ran the closest and the hardest, and they're also places where the demographics tell us there are changes going on and there are new families moving in," Tenille said.
An Historic Moment
Harris has already made history by being the first woman, Black person and person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president. If voters choose her in November, she will be the first woman and person of South Asian descent to serve in the United States' highest public office.
Cotton, referencing her mother and grandmother, said, "They would save money up in the little candy jar, we would call it. There were nickels, dimes and quarters, so that they could be able to go vote. I bet they're up in heaven shouting because I get to cast the vote to nominate Vice President Harris."
Lottie Shackelford, the first female mayor of Little Rock, who currently leads the Democratic National Committee's Women's Caucus, also recognized the historic importance of Harris and this week's convention.
"I just get so excited and my heart starts beating. It's a pinch-me experience," she said. "This really is happening."
A Look Ahead
The DNC is a significant event in the 2024 presidential election. It is a chance for Harris to make her case to voters and for Democrats to unify behind her.
The convention is also a chance for Arkansas Democrats to showcase their support for Harris and to make a case for why she is the best candidate to lead the country.
The results of the DNC will have a significant impact on the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. It is a crucial moment for both Harris and the Democratic Party, and it will be interesting to see how the convention unfolds.
