The Democratic National Convention continues in Chicago with Mississippi delegates soaking in the scene.
State Rep. Zakiya Summers, of Jackson, is one of 49 delegates from the Magnolia State present at the DNC. She said the energy surrounding the party with a new presidential nominee in Vice President Kamala Harris has been palpable.
“I have had little sleep since I’ve been here because it’s been a party since I got off the train on Sunday morning. We are so energized, and the momentum keeps building every day. We’re having a blast,” Summer said Tuesday morning, following day one of the convention.
On Monday night, President Joe Biden took the stage to further discuss the decision to suspend his reelection bid and reiterate his endorsement of Harris. Biden used the opportunity to cite the accomplishments of his single presidential term – mentioning 60 million new jobs and the smallest racial wealth gap in two decades – while saying he has no ill will toward fellow party members who urged him to not run after a poor debate performance against former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Summers, who was among the crowd to give Biden a standing ovation as the speech ended, touted the president for his transparency and called the speech one of the most emotional ones she’s ever witnessed.
“That speech that President Joe Biden said last night had me so emotional. I had tears welling in my eyes,” she said. “We’re looking at a man who did something so patriotic, who put his country before himself, who has passed the baton on to Vice President Kamala Harris. You could just feel the love in the room.”
Action at the DNC picks back up Tuesday at 5 p.m. CT with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and former First Lady Michelle Obama expected to speak, with former President Barack Obama delivering the closing keynote address on night two.
On Wednesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will accept the nomination for vice president before Harris officially accepts the nod for presidential nominee on Thursday. Earlier this month, delegates across all 50 states met virtually to nominate Harris.
Summers concluded the conversation by saying if the comradery continues throughout this week and into the next couple of months on the campaign trail leading into the Nov. 5 election, Democrats have a great chance of occupying the White House for another four years.
“One of the main messages last night was there’s room for everybody. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican, Democrat, or otherwise, you can come on in the room because you are welcome here. We know that when we work together, we can do something really special.”
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