CHICAGO — Delegates from South Carolina are preparing to head to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, which runs Monday to Thursday.
Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are on track to formally accept the Democratic presidential and vice presidential nominations on Thursday at the convention.
It's a historic moment for the country and South Carolina, said Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright.
“This will probably be the most consequential democratic national convention we’ve had in the history of our party," says Seawright. "The fact that we're in the midst of all the things we're honoring Joe Biden, an honorary South Carolinian in his own right, because of his relationship with the state, is certainly an emotional time. And in fact, it was South Carolina who launched and saved the Biden presidency and gave us Kamala Harris."
Other key Democratic players from South Carolina will attend the convention, including former South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison, who will gavel in on Monday night as the Democratic National Committee chair. Congressman Jim Clyburn will also speak.
"We will hear from South Carolina's congressman, the iconic Jim Clyburn, as he talks about what this election means to him, what President Biden has meant to him, and what Kamala Harris will mean for the country," said Seawright.
Eighty-eight total delegates and alternates will represent the Palmetto State at the convention, where they will solidify the Harris-Walz ticket and adopt a platform for the nominees, said South Carolina delegate and former SCDP Chair Carol Fowler.
“It’s a good feeling to be part of something you know is going to be historic," said Fowler. "This time, Democrats are united. We are proud of the candidates we are going to nominate and I expect our candidates to get a good bounce out of this convention."
According to the DNC website, more than 5,000 delegates and 15,000 members of the media are expected to attend the event.