CHICAGO — It’s not the Democratic National Convention many expected just a few weeks ago, but after weeks of back and forth within the party, Ohio delegates are excited about what they’re seeing center stage in Chicago.
“I thought it would be a fairly non-controversial, not too exciting conference,” Ohio delegate Armond Budish said. “And then when President Biden withdrew all of the sudden I thought it was going to be exciting … It’s not controversial, it's exciting.”
As the Cuyahoga County executive during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Budish knows a thing or two about what it takes to put on such an event.
“It’s a huge effort. I can’t tell you how much effort it is,” he said.
And for delegates and attendees like Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin, the effort in Chicago for the DNC has paid off.
“Usually you get here and there’s a lot of politics, a lot of floor fights and other things like that but I have to say that this has been one of the more unified conventions that I’ve ever seen," Griffin said. "Everybody just seems to be on the same page, fired up and ready to work for Vice President Harris and Coach Walz.”
One of the highlights for Griffin has been the speeches from former President Barrack Obama and Michelle Obama.
“If I could take one word to describe this convention it’s been unifying," he said. "Energetic, enthusiastic."
With more big names set to take the stage, Budish and Griffin said they’ve received their orders and there is work to do for the Democratic Party in Ohio heading into the November election.
“Don’t count out Cleveland!" Griffin said. "Ohio is still at play.”
Budish agrees.
“Ohio is not looked at right now as purple state. It’s much more seen as a red state. But I think that can change," he said. "I mean, you’re talking to the guy who was the [Democratic] speaker of the house working with Governor Ted Strickland who was the last most recent Democratic governor in Ohio."