CHICAGO 鈥� Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are the Democrats鈥� nomination for president and vice president.
It wasn鈥檛 a surprise that the current vice president earned the nomination, after roughly 85% of the party鈥檚 3,949 delegates in late-July days after her candidacy began. Those pledges were certified on Aug. 6, according to Democratic National Committee Secretary Jason Rae.
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But Tuesday鈥檚 ceremonial roll call, held at Chicago鈥檚 United Center on the second day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC), gave delegations from across the United States an opportunity to publicly state their support for a Harris ticket that included Walz.
The roll call, which was the first to take place in-person since the 2016 convention, saw some delegations give brief remarks 鈥� but others went all out.
Wisconsin鈥檚 delegation donned iconic Original Cheeseheads, while Kansas鈥� delegation wore Kansas City Chiefs replica gear that read 鈥淜ansas Dems.鈥� Georgia鈥檚 delegation saw a surprise introduction by rapper Lil鈥� Jon, who riled up the packed United Center, while actor Sean Astin introduced Indiana.
The roll call was conducted in alphabetical order, with the exception of California and Minnesota 鈥� the states to which Harris and Walz belong 鈥� which declined to announce their votes until the end of the call.
When the call came back to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Hans Storvick, a former student of Walz at Mankato West High 歪歪漫画, jumped on the mic.
鈥淭im Walz was my neighbor, coach and favorite teacher. We were excited to go to his classroom every day 鈥� and if you've ever been in high school, you know that can be rare. He opened our eyes to the world, he taught us how to talk about global issues with respect, curiousity and kindness, even and especially when we disagreed,鈥� Storvick said. 鈥淏ut he wasn鈥檛 just a great teacher 鈥� he was also a great neighbor and friend. In fact, when he was in the midst of a budget battle as governor of our state, he still found time to attend my brother鈥檚 funeral. Mr. Walz means the world to my family. He鈥檚 always been there for us, and that鈥檚 how I know he鈥檒l always be there for you as vice president.鈥�
Storvick passed the microphone to former Minnesota Vikings star lineman and NFL Hall of Famer John Randle.
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鈥淔ourteen years in the National Football League taught me a lot about leadership. A good leader cannot be selfish, he has to look out for his team,鈥� Randle said firmly. 鈥淐oach Walz is as unselfish as they come. He鈥檚 led Minnesota with honesty and integrity, and in November, Minnesota鈥檚 going to send Tim Walz and Kamala Harris to the White House.鈥�
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith introduced themselves to the thousands of Democrats gathered before Smith cast 81 of Minnesota鈥檚 votes for the Harris-Walz ticket. Ten additional votes abstained.
Event organizers saved the best for last, as Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke on behalf of California, saying it鈥檚 no surprise that Harris has risen to the level of a presidential nominee.
鈥淭he thing [Californians] pride ourselves most on is that we believe the future happens in California first. Democrats, I鈥檝e had the privilege for over 20 years to see that future taking shape with a star in an Alameda [County] courtroom by the name of Kamala Harris,鈥� Newsom said confidently. 鈥淚 saw that star get even brighter as Attorney General of California, as a United States Senator and as Vice President of the United States. 鈥� It鈥檚 time for us to do the right thing, and that鈥檚 for us to elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States of America.鈥�
Immediately following the re-affirmation of the roll call鈥檚 vote, Harris and Walz joined the Chicago convention via live feed from a rally in Milwaukee, roughly 90 miles to the north.
Gov. Tim Walz is set to accept the nomination during a Wednesday evening speech, while Harris will accept during a Thursday night speech.
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