Live updates from the 2024 Democratic National Convention

Democratic National Convention in Chicago — The jumbotron is pictured at the United Center, the host venue of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. August 15, 2024.

By Hunter Dunteman

August 20, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Here's the latest from the 2024 Democratic National Convention:

Tuesday, Aug. 20

7 p.m.
NOTE: The United Center is experiencing significant internet connectivity issues. Check back later for a recap.

Roll call has begun, with each state announcing their delegations votes. It's easy to tell which delegations dressed to fit a theme of their state — Wisconsin's delegation is wearing Packer-style chesseheads, while Kansas is wearing Kansas City Chiefs gear.

1:45 p.m.
More than two hours before doors open, and six hours before a planned appearance by Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, Milwaukee TV station TMJ4 reports a "sizeable crowd" has formed outside the Fiserv Forum — the same venue that hosted this year's Republican National Convention and a Republican primary debate.

Milwaukee is approximately 90 miles north of Chicago. Both Harris and Walz are expected to return to Chicago after the Milwaukee rally.

12:30 p.m.
Multiple motorcades of various lengths and sizes began moving around downtown Chicago shortly after midday.

10:10 a.m.
Calling himself a pro-union, pro-choice, pro-public education and a pro-diversity governor, Kentucky's Andy Beshear gave his "full and total support" to Tim Walz. Beshear was rumored to be in Harris' top-two choices for a running mate. He committed to helping ensure the Harris-Walz ticket will win the election.

10 a.m.
Navy veteran and former NASA astronaut Sen. Mark Kelly, D-AZ, shared that his wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, was in the same freshman congressional class with Walz. Kelly joked that Giffords liked Walz so much that he questioned which one was Giffords' first choice for companionship.

Kelly called his service in the Senate "the most important job" he's ever had, using women's rights as a reason to vote Democrats into office. "I can not imagine what it will be like if Donald Trump gets back in office. ... I have a 3-year-old granddaughter who now has fewer rights, and will have fewer rights as an adult, than my mother or grandmother did."

He called on Democrats to continue the momentum that the party has for the remaining 77 days until Election Day.

9:10 a.m.
With an introduction from Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Chairman Cole Miller, Sen. Tina Smith followed McCollum's speech by pointing out her belief that Tim Walz is an excellent candidate not only due to his policies, but also due to his humanity.

She said she's seen the excitement that surrounds a Harris-Walz ticket, and that the energy isn't a "sugar rush" that will fade — rather it's here to stay through Election Day.

9 a.m.
After a speech from Brooklyn Park City Councilman Tony McGarvey, Rep. Betty McCollum spoke on the state’s tribal relations, pointing out that some states including Indiana, Illinois and Ohio have no federally-recognized American Indian reservations. “I am so pleased that I get to work with these fantastic tribal nations [in Minnesota].

She also focused on the DFL’s desire to protect blue seats and flip red seats in the Minnesota House and Senate to secure a progressive future. “If we’re going to keep moving forward like we’ve been able to in Minnesota in the future, we have to protect the house and the senate so our governor can continue to sign legislation,” she said.

8:45 a.m.
Rep. Ilhan Omar took to the stage to a lengthy applause. She sees Minnesota and the country as a better place to live under the Democrats that have been elected to serve on the state and federal level.

She called on ending gun violence in America and praised Minnesota’s policy for feeding school children and efforts to increase wages. Omar also took a shot at Republicans, saying: “It is joyful to not campaign on hate and divisiveness and anger and bigotry.”

8:20 a.m.
Chair of the Democratic National Committee Jaime Harrison spoke, crediting the Minnesota DFL for “controlling everything right now.” Tim Walz currently serves as chair of the Democratic Governors Association, Peggy Flanagan serves as chair of Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, and DFL Chairman Ken Martin serves as president of the Association of State Democratic Committees and vice-chair of both the Democratic National Committee.

Harrison said he’s “so proud” of Minnesota’s Democrats, and that he’s excited to see a country with “Coach Tim Walz” as vice president and a Minnesota overseen by Flanagan.

8 a.m.
Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist speaks first, saying the "whole country is getting introduced to the Midwest" due to the rise of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

March for Our Lives founder David Hogg said he never saw himself getting into politics because he didn't think anything would ever actually get done — but added that Walz is one person who got his attention. He said it's "shameful" that other states with larger Democratic majorities have failed to implement progressive policies like Minnesota has.

"More than that, Gov. Walz has been able to deliver. I don't care what you've done on the campaign trial, I care what you do in office," Hogg said. "[Minnesota is] passing gun laws and delivering over $50 million to address gun violence through the Legislature."

7:35 p.m.
Good morning from the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Chicago.

Minnesota's delegation to the DNC is meeting for a second day of breakfast. Tuesday's speaker lineup for the gathering of Democrats include Rep. Ilhan Omar and Sen. Tina Smith, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, retired astronaut and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Chairman Cole Miller and more.

DFL Chair Ken Martin teases the possibility of any number of surprise guests today.

Monday, Aug. 19

11:29 p.m.

Joe Biden spoke for just shy of an hour, ending his speech at 11:18 p.m. Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff briefly joined the Bidens on stage to exchange hugs.

Following a benediction, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan gaveled out the session at 11:29 p.m.

10:25 p.m.
After a heartfelt introduction from his daughter, President Joe Biden had to wipe away a tear before making his way to the podium. Before he could get a word out, he was met with roughly five minutes of applause, which didn’t help his waterworks.

Chants of “We love Joe” overpowered the president, who couldn’t help but smile and thank the tens of thousands of Democrats gathered at the United Center.

“I love you,” he told the crowd, which yielded an even louder response, followed by chants of “Thank you Joe.”

Roughly five minutes into his speech, protesters in the lowest level of the United Center unfurled a banner and began shouting. Nearby delegates began chanting until security confiscated the banner.

It didn’t appear as though the president — or most of the venue — noticed.

“I made a commitment to you that I’d be a president for all Americans, whether you voted for me or not,” Biden said, as more chants thanking him broke out. “Thank Kamala, too.”

Biden touched on everything his administration has done, ranging from the COVID-19 response and economic rebuilding to capping insulin costs and investing in infrastructure. He added that now’s the time for Democrats to ban assault weapons and demand universal background checks for firearm purchases.

“It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your president. I love my job, but I love my country more,” Biden said, denying that he feels any anger toward those who encouraged him to step down. “Elect Kamala and Tim president and vice president of America. … I promise I’ll be the best volunteer the Harris and Walz campaign has ever seen.”

“America, I gave my best to you,” he added with glassy eyes.

10:10 p.m.
First Lady Jill Biden took the stage. After being married to Joe Biden for nearly five decades, she opened her speech by sharing moments that she realized she fell in love with him all over again, including the day he decided to drop out of the presidential race and endorse Kamala Harris.

In a speech that lasted just a few minutes, the First Lady said she's excited for the future to after seeing the number of Democrats gathered at the United Center.

8:50 p.m.
Former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton took the stage, and was met with applause louder than the speakers could transmit her voice. She made multiple attempts to quiet the crowd so she could speak.

"There's a crowd of energy in this room, just like there is across this country," she said. "Something is happening in America, you can feel it.

Her speech began with thanking President Joe Biden, saying he "brought dignity, decency and confidence back to the White House." The line was met with an outbreak of "Thank you Joe" chants from the crowd.

8 p.m.
Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance on the stage, and was the met with uproarious cheers from the now nearly-full United Center. She spoke briefly, sharing her gratitude to President Joe Biden for the past four years.

6:30 p.m.
Flanagan returned to the stage a second time, praising Gov. Tim Walz's job performance in Minnesota, adding that he always brings snacks to meetings. "Tim Walz always brings something for me, and as Vice President, he'll always bring something for you."

In a sharp turn, Flanagan said her brother was the second person to die from COVID-19 in Tennessee in 2020, but said the Biden-Harris administration and the Walz administration saved lives.

After an abrupt ending to her speech, a video played on the center video board criticizing Donald Trump's COVID-19 response during his presidency. The crowd booed.

6:15 p.m.

Minyon Moore, chair of the 2024 Democratic National Convention Committee, held a roll call vote to ceremoniously confirm Tim Walz as the party's vice presidential nominee. The voice vote was unanimous.

6:01 p.m.
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan kept her opening remarks brief before introducing Rep. Maxine Waters, D-CA. The two exchanged a hug before Flanagan left the stage.

Waters reflected on the positive changes America has seen, specifically in terms of racial equality in politics, since the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and NAACP challenged delegate selection processes that excluded people of color from serving as delegates.

"Now we can ask ourselves, is this America?" Waters said. "You're damn right it is."

5:54 p.m.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson: "Gov. Tim Walz will never shrink from standing up for our democracy and from those in need."

5:33 p.m.
The session was opened by Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison and convention committee Chair Minyon Moore. An invocation, the pledge of allegiance, the national anthem and more followed.

5:30 p.m.
Delegates from across the United States are beginning to take their seats. Minnesota's delegation is seated stage left, roughly halfway across the arena. They're neighbored by South Dakota's delegation.

Monday's evening was supposed to be called to order at 5:15 p.m., according to a calendar shared by DNC officials. Nobody has taken the stage, yet.

4:20 p.m.
The line to enter the security perimeter rivals the line for most amusement park rides.

I've been in line for more than 20 minutes, and it's barely moving. Plus, it's hot.

3:30 p.m.
Approaching the United Center, police presence is strong, as is the presence of protesters, hundreds of whom are stationed at a nearby park.

Bicyclists toting Palestine flags are weaving through vehicles in traffic jams.

Protesters don't appear to be disrupting the flow of traffic, however, and many are chatting with police officers.

Closer to the arena, protesters are less visible, and pedestrians are holding signs thanking President Joe Biden via posters.

12:15 p.m.
DNC officials released Monday's speaker list in full. Following an introduction from DNC Committee Chairwoman Minyon Moore and DNC Chairman Jamie Harrison, the following individuals will speak in the following order:

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson; Minnesota Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan; Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-IL; Rep. Robert Garcia, D-CA.

Following those speeches is a joint address from union leaders, including Lee Saunders, April Verrett, Brent Booker, Kenneth Cooper, Claude Cummings Jr., and Elizabeth Shuler.

Then, speeches will continue with Micigan State Sen. Mallory McMorrow; Sec. Gina Raimondo; Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-NY; Union president Shawn Fain; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY; former Sec. Hillary Clinton; Rep. James Clyburn, D-SC; Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-MD; Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-TX; Rep. Grace Meng, D-NY; joint remarks from Texas, Louisiana and Kentucky residents; Gov. Andy Beshear, D-KY; Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-GA, and Sen. Chris Coons, D-DE.

The evening’s speaker list will be capped off with First Lady Jill Biden before Ashley Biden introduces President Joe Biden for the final speech.

The DNC clarified that the speaker list is subject to change.

11 a.m.
Some speakers are getting a feel for the main stage ahead of tonight's main session of the DNC. CNN reported live on TV that 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and current Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff have appeared on stage.

President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden have been scheduled to speak Monday night, alongside Hillary Clinton, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and others.

Monday's main session of the DNC will gavel in shortly after 5 p.m. Monday and run until shortly after 10 p.m.

9 a.m.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar took the stage as the final speaker for the morning, touting Harris’ ability to unite the Democratic Party “in literally two days” after Joe Biden dropped out of the race. She also recalled the waves of emotion she felt when speculation grew surrounding Walz as an option for vice president.

“We get our Vikings mentality,” Klobuchar joked, explaining how she didn’t want to get her hopes up too quickly. Then, she watched as Harris had a round of “speed dating” with each of her potential running mates and eventually picked Walz.

“Then there was that glorious day where it is announced that Tim Walz is going to be the next vice president,” she said to loud applause. “We know the Walz family well, and one of the things that I love that America is seeing now is the interaction of Kamala and Tim on that stage.”

Klobuchar said Walz’s record on items like tax cuts, free lunch for school children, stronger family leave laws and more makes him the right pick for America.

Following Klobuchar’s speech, the breakfast concluded.

8:15 a.m.
Attorney General Keith Ellison took the stage to a strong round of applause. He recalls the shock he felt when he saw video of George Floyd’s murder. Ellison said he was in touch with Tim Walz throughout the prosecution of Derek Chauvin, and later heard from Kamala Harris, too. “We’ve got two people on this ticket who care about the law, care about justice.”

He spoke on Walz’s “common sense” governance, such as efforts to install an earned sick and safe time law to address the childcare crisis, as well as restoring voting rights to certain felons. “It’s just basic common sense,” Ellison said.

U.S. Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsack followed Ellison. He said the Democrats in the room understand the importance of elevating Harris and Walz to the Oval Office and promoting Flanagan to governor. “[Minnesota sends really good people to Washington,” Vilsack said, referring to Walter Mondale and Hubert Humphrey. While concluding, Vilsack called Republican vice presidential candidate “weird,” jumping on the left-wing trend.

8 a.m.
Infinite Campus founder and CEO Charlie Kratsch gave a short speech introducing Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

Flanagan said Minnesota knows a thing or two about growing vice presidents, and that Walz will make a great running mate and partner to Kamala Harris. She spoke on the DFL’s work to increase wages, create childcare availability and more in a testament to Walz’s dedication to improving America.

She added that she expects Democrats will elected Harris and Walz, that Minnesota will be kept blue. “When we fight, we win,” she said. After leaving the stage, Flanagan took photos with multiple attendees and mingled throughout the audience.

7:30 a.m.
Good morning from the Fairmont Chicago, where Minnesota Democrats are hosting their first delegate breakfast gathering of the week. With breakfasts every day, Monday’s speakers include Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison and more.

Chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Ken Martin takes the stage to loud cheers from the roughly 100 Democrats who have entered the ballroom.

Former New York State representative Rev. Michael Blake speaks next. He’s hyping up Gov. Tim Walz’s leadership, saying he’s excited to see Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan become Minnesota’s governor during a Harris-Walz presidency.

Blake is followed by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri), who has served in Washington for nearly 20 years. Cleaver was on a plane when President Joe Biden announced he’d be discontinuing his campaign. He said this election will have benefits or consequences for generations to come, depending on the outcome.

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This article is updated throughout the duration of the Democratic National Convention, so long as updates are available.