Local politicos from the Park Ridge and Skokie areas had plenty of reactions, and emotions, about attending their political parties’ conventions in Chicago and Milwaukee in this election year, when the parties officially nominate their presidential candidates.
We asked area residents, including State Sen. Laura Murphy, a Democrat whose district includes Park Ridge and Des Plaines, Cook County Commissioner Josie Morita, a Democrat whose 13th District includes Skokie, Evanston, Morton Grove and Lincolnwood, and Susan Sweeney, a Park Ridge Republican who formerly served as a Maine Township trustee, what their experience serving as a delegate has been like this election cycle.
Murphy: ‘Hope in the air’
“It’s extremely energized,” said State Sen. Laura Murphy on Monday of the mood in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention this week. “There’s hope in the air that we’ll be able to hold democracy in place for generations to come.”
Murphy, a Democrat who lives in Des Plaines and represents the 28th state Senate district, said the mood has been very exciting, uplifting and encouraging.
Murphy was among the thousands at the United Center chanting in unison when President Biden addressed the crowd Monday night, a moment she said was sincere and heartfelt.
Though Monday was the official kickoff of the convention, delegates and party officials from across the country began arriving in the area for DNC-related events over the weekend.
“I can’t imagine that there’s not a financial benefit to the city; there are so many receptions you can’t possibly keep up with them,” Murphy said. “It’s just great to see everyone and be able to showcase Chicago and the state of Illinois.”
Murphy said she got to meet Democrats from across the country at a delegate welcome party hosted at Navy Pier Sunday night.
Murphy said delegates and convention-goers have occasionally had to wait out long security lines to enter events. While no one likes waiting in line, Murphy said she has felt a level of comfort knowing that the searches have been thorough.
GOP delegate Sweeney: ‘Exhilarating’
Back in July, Susan Sweeney was one of three delegates representing Illinois’ 9th District at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Sweeney said the mood at the RNC was exhilarating as party leaders made the case for former President Donald Trump.
“Every speaker was looking forward to restoring the policies of his presidency,” Sweeney said.
The RNC took place just days after the assassination attempt on Trump’s life.
“Donald Trump came to the convention early and often because he was concerned about the country,” Sweeney said. “He cared more to talk about what he could do to uplift us than his personal experience and the devastating risk he faced.”
Sweeney also reflected that the security at the convention was tight and said she felt safe the whole time.
Sweeney said she can’t imagine what it would be like to be a delegate at the Democrats’ convention after President Biden dropped out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris was assigned his delegates.
“They don’t have a choice, they were just told what to do,” Sweeney said. “I don’t feel like there’s any democracy there.”
Morita, of Skokie: ‘Opportunity’
This is the third Democratic National Convention that Cook County Board Commissioner Josina Morita has been part of and the most special, she said, both because of the location and because of the candidate. “It’s an opportunity to highlight our city to the rest of the country and the world,” Morita said. “And it’s different because it’s Kamala, it’s a different energy, she is someone that everyone can connect to.”
Morita lives with her family in Skokie and since it is her third convention, she loaned her convention pass to a friend for Monday night’s speeches. She said she is excited to bring her 4-year-old daughter Meiko, who like Harris is Black and Asian, with her to witness Harris accept the party’s nomination.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Morita said.
