California Politicians To Watch For At The DNC

The Democratic National Convention this week will include a lot of prominent California voices.

And while the Biden campaign is in the driver’s seat, primary rival Bernie Sanders won more California delegates back on Super Tuesday. That gave progressives leverage to petition the state’s Democratic party to include them in a prominent role.

Instead of one leader (traditionally a state’s governor), the 495-member delegation will be co-chaired by three Democrats: Oakland Rep. Barbara Lee, a progressive who backed Kamala Harris; Silicon Valley Rep. Ro Khanna, who endorsed Sanders; and Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, a Biden supporter who served as Secretary of Labor in the Obama Administration.

The combination is meant to present a united front for the party’s ultimate goal: “We have to defeat Donald Trump,” Solis said. “That’s the number one priority.”

More CA politicians in the DNC’s lineup:

• Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia will be among a group of 17 younger, up-and-coming Democrats to address the convention on Tuesday.
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will make remarks on Wednesday.
• Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti will appear Wednesday along with an L.A. business owner to discuss the pandemic and Democrats' plan for economic recovery.
• Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Kamala Harris, will co-headline Wednesday night, along with former President Barack Obama.
• Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Governor Gavin Newsom will speak on Thursday, the convention’s final night.