Philadelphia’s State Sen. Sharif Street, one of 14 designated DNC Members that are part of the group headed to Chicago, serves as party chair and will be responsible for getting everyone seated on the floor, attending events, and making sure things go smoothly. — TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO / ABDUL SULAYMAN
by Marco Cerino
Philadelphia Tribune Staff Writer
When the Democratic National Convention gavels into session Monday, Pennsylvania will be one of the largest and most prominent delegations on the floor in Chicago. With all the attention the Keystone State has and will get for its 19 Electoral College votes, this means we’ll likely see a lot of familiar faces on camera during the four-day event in Chicago.
221 people from across the Commonwealth will participate in the convention as part of Pennsylvania’s delegation, including 185 voting delegates. After President Joe Biden won the state’s primary in April but ended his campaign on July 21, the delegation unanimously pledged their support to Vice President Kamala Harris. She secured the nomination in an uncontested virtual vote earlier this month and will be the 17th Democratic nominee elected on the convention’s first ballot or by acclimation.
State Sen. Sharif Street, one of 14 designated DNC Members that are part of the group headed to Chicago, serves as party chair and will be responsible for getting everyone seated on the floor, attending events, and making sure things go smoothly. He knows how important this moment is for his delegation and for the country. After all, his senate district hosted the public debut of Harris and her choice for vice president, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, 13 days before the convention begins.
“They’ve injected so much enthusiasm into the democratic process,” Street said in an interview with the Tribune Wednesday. “They’re great messengers for what were always strong policies that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as a ticket had advanced. They’ve connected with the American people in a way that I think will not only elect them but will help Democrats down ballot as well.”
Elected officials from City Council, the General Assembly, and Congress will be part of the delegation. Most were selected during the primary as either district or at-large delegates. Mayor Cherelle Parker, Council President Kenyatta Johnson, and Pennsylvania House Speaker JoAnna McClinton are three of the 19 Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials (PLEO) chosen by party leadership.
State Rep. Morgan Cephas is one of the delegates selecting from April’s primary ballot. She grew up in the Tasker Street Homes Projects but went to college and now has served constituents in West Philadelphia since 2017. This will be her first time in the delegate seating after attending the conventions in 2008 and 2012. After speaking to campaign volunteers and community members at the office in Brewerytown, she discussed her excitement to be involved.
“Being able to be on the floor to cast this historic vote, I never thought I would be a delegate for the first Black woman nominee for our party,” she said. “I am excited. I am just fired up. I look forward to throwing elbows to get a seat on the floor, up close.”
LT. GOV. AUSTIN DAVIS
Not only will there be recognizable local faces in the crowd, at least one member of the Pennsylvania delegation will address the convention. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis is one of the scheduled speakers for Monday night. State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who is running for Auditor General on the ballot, will speak at the delegate breakfast on Thursday.
“I think it is exciting that direction out party is going in,” Cephas said about the spotlight afforded to two of her colleagues in Harrisburg. “One, we are a big tent. We are a big tent with multiple generations whose voices need to be heard, particularly in this moment. This race is really about the future of this country and the direction that we want to go into, and what better way than have Millennial voices, to have young, dynamic speakers, particularly coming from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, two Black men who have been trailblazers in their own right.”
Davis is the youngest lieutenant governor in Pennsylvania’s history and the first Black man elected to the position. He talked about the pride he feels supporting a candidate that can be a role model for his infant daughter and wants to focus his speech on the future he wants to leave for her. He also plans to highlight the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to infrastructure investments. While the rebuild of an overpass on Interstate 95 got a lot of attention last year, the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse in 2022 created major problems for thousands using it to travel Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh’s East End. The president visited the city days after the collapse and a new bridge was built in less than a year.
“I’m incredibly humbled to speak to my party and the nation at that venue,” Davis said. “I think it says that Democrats have a deep bench of talent within our party that’s rising up, that’s elevating, and a lot of that talent is right here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We are committed to a brighter future.”
Kenyatta spoke Friday at a press conference highlighting the first round of prescription drug costs negotiated by the government that will provide billions in savings. He is ready to share his story about growing up working class in North Philly.
“I’m really excited because we’re about to make history with Kamala Harris,” he said. “I think what you’re going to see, in contrast with the Republican convention, is you’re actually going to see a convention that looks like the country. You’re going to see people who are speaking about what’s at stake for them, what’s at stake for their communities, and I think you’re going to hear Vice President Harris build on speeches that she’s giving today.” Harris made a campaign stop Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina on lowering costs.
After the convention closes Thursday night, Philadelphia will continue to be a focal point for the election. News came out Friday morning that the Constitution Center will host the only currently scheduled debate between Harris and former president Donald Trump on Tuesday, Sept. 10. ABC will host and broadcast the debate.
mcerino@phillytrib.com 215-893-5700
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