Delegates to the upcoming Democratic National Convention representing all or part of Lake County have a sense they are about to be witnesses to history with the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris for the Oval Office.
State Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, a first-time convention delegate and attendee, said she is emotionally charged at the prospect of seeing a woman of color nominated to become president of the United States.
Though the Democrats nominated former President Barack Obama as the first man of color in 2008, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as the first woman in 2016, Vice President Kamala Harris could be the first to break two glass ceilings.
“I feel immense pride, incessant hope and abundant joy,” Johnson said. ”Black women, and all women for that matter, can lead exceptionally well. I look forward, with great anticipation, to saying these two words after Nov. 5 and the inauguration in January, ‘Madam President.’”
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, is one of four super delegates like the other three U.S. House of Representatives members representing parts of Lake County. First elected in 2012, he lost his 2014 reelection bid, but won the job again two years later.
When Schneider chose to try to regain his seat in 2016, he said one of the reasons was he believed Clinton had a good chance to become the first woman president. He wanted to serve in Congress when the first female was in the White House. He has another chance.
“I’ve been a witness to quite a few historic moments since I was elected to Congress in 2012,” Schneider said in an email. “Seeing future President Harris accept the Democratic nomination in our home state next week will be one of the most joyful of them all.”
Schneider and Johnson are among 28 delegates representing parts of Lake County at the Democratic National Convention opening Monday in Chicago to ratify the nomination of Harris for president and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for vice president.
State Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, is a delegate attending his first political convention. He said he sees the historical significance of Harris’ nomination, but he also remembers her as the woman he supported and helped when she sought the nomination four years ago.
“There was something about her vision then that really grabbed me,” Morgan said. “I reached out and got involved. I met her at an event in Glenview. She is even better in person than she is on television. Her nomination reflects the makeup of America.”
Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega is also a first-time delegate attending his first convention. He said he is excited to be a part of history nominating the first woman of color to become the nation’s 47th president.
“We nominated the first Black man for president, the first woman and now we’re nominating the first woman of color,” Vega said. “It is history. As the son of immigrants and the first Latino county clerk who is LGBTQ, this is long overdue.”
Johnson, Vega and Morgan are three of the six elected delegates from the 10th Congressional District. The other three are state Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Lake Forest, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering and Victor Shi of Buffalo Gove.
Schneider is a super delegate, as are the other three representatives—U.S. Rep Bill Foster, D-Naperville, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago, and U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville—representing parts of Lake County. The elected delegates from those districts are not from Lake County.
Since President Joe Biden chose to withdraw his name as a candidate for nomination on July 21 and backed Harris, the local delegates believe the party is more energized. Schneider, who was the first member of the Illinois Congressional delegation to back Biden in 2020, said he will “always love” Biden, but there is a new energy.
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, in a 2022 file photo.– Original Credit: News-Sun
“I don’t think Hollywood could have scripted it better,” Schneider said in the email. “It’s undeniable that the sheer energy and excitement that Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are generating will help drive Democrats toward victory, not just for the presidency but all the way down the ballot.”
As Harris began campaigning, Johnson said she saw a distinct climate change among people in the area. As Harris and Walz talk about issues important to working people, voters are getting the message, she said.
“Voters are energized,” Johnson said. “They are hopeful. They can see candidates who are able to communicate with working-class families. They both personify the American dream. Young people and the older generation are energized.”
Like Johnson, Vega said he is seeing energy about the Harris-Walz ticket from all corners of Lake County. It has rekindled the emotions felt when Obama ran for president and served two terms.
“There is an unbelievable positivity,” Vega said. “I sense a lot of excitement and energy among the Hispanic population, white and Black voters. It’s very strong everywhere.”
While Morgan said he regularly sees interest in politics among certain groups of involved individuals, the enthusiasm sparked by the Harris-Walz ticket goes deeper than he has seen in a while.
“I’m seeing a lot of excitement at the grassroots level,” Morgan said. “First-time people are getting involved and knocking on doors.”
Illinois state Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, speaks during a press conference surrounded by anti-gun violence advocates, many of whom have a connection to the recent Highland Park shooting, at the Capitol in Washington on July 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File)
