Last Tuesday, on the second night of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, the governor was flanked by the Illinois delegation as he fieryly announced the state delegation’s vote for president and vice president.
State Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, is a delegate and was present for the ceremonial call.
“It was electrifying,” Johnson said of his experience in a telephone interview with the Pioneer Press on Aug. 20. “It exceeded my expectations.”
The convention, held at the United Center from August 19 to 22, brought together approximately 4,000 Democratic delegates to vote for the Democratic presidential nominee of the United States – and his running mate.
“Illinois has voted one vote present and 176 for the next president of the United States, Madam President Kamala Harris!” Gov. JB Pritzker shouted during the roll call that saw the state of Georgia include rapper Lil Jon.
Harris already had enough delegates to become the official nominee before Tuesday.
Incumbent President Joe Biden was considered the party’s nominee until he announced on July 24 that he was withdrawing from the presidential race after pressure from within the Democratic Party.
Vice President Kamala Harris was quickly chosen to enter the race, and on August 6, delegates, including Johnson, voted virtually in favor of her candidacy.
That means Tuesday’s ceremonial roll call marked a second opportunity for Johnson to vote for Harris and her vice presidential running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, to be the party’s nominees.
“First of all, she is the right candidate right now,” Johnson said. “I believe Harris-Walz is ready to deliver for all Americans on day one. They will continue to fight for the things that we care about as a party and that most Americans care about: economic justice, reproductive rights, and most importantly, ensuring opportunity for all, so that all people can thrive, not just a few. I know they will deliver on their promise to fight for all people and represent all people.”
Johnson represents 15 municipalities in his 30th state senatorial district: all or parts of Buffalo Grove, Green Oaks, Gurnee, Indian Creek, Knollwood, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Mettawa, Mundelein, North Chicago, Park City, Vernon Hills, Wadsworth, Waukegan and Wheeling.
She said the Harris-Walz ticket is the best choice for her diverse constituency, particularly in creating new jobs, providing more funding for affordable housing and health care and ensuring the criminal justice system is fair for all.
However, she also supported Biden.
“I was always behind President Biden because you can’t overlook his accomplishments and the most recent ones with Vice President Harris by his side. Yes, he didn’t have a great debate [with Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump]But to me, that doesn’t take away from his accomplishments, not only as president for four years, but also his decades of service.
Democrats have been criticized for how Harris has risen to the top of the ticket. Critics have even made a fuss about the timing of Biden’s speech on the first night of the DNC, mocking Democrats for placing him on the podium beyond prime time.
In his speech, Biden praised the work of his administration and gave his endorsement to Harris.
“While we got the result that many wanted, we would have gotten there if we had taken a different approach,” Johnson said of Biden’s removal and Harris’ ascension. “It was very public, and with someone of her caliber, we don’t want to be seen to tarnish her legacy.”
She said that when Biden took the stage last Monday night, the crowd was “going wild” and “you could see the love that everybody has for Joe. It was on full display.”
Johnson said that when she received a notice from the Democratic Party asking if she would be interested in being a delegate representing the 10th Congressional District — led by U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park — she readily accepted and was added to the list.
She joined Illinois delegates to the Democratic National Convention, many of whom were her colleagues in the General Assembly, she said. Also there were parks board members, city councilors, mayors, political leaders and lobbyists.
Johnson is also a former board member of the Buffalo Grove Park District.
“It’s such a privilege,” Johnson said of his status as a delegate, calling the DNC a unique and historic convention.
“Part of your role is to make sure that you have that unity, the unity of the party, and that you play a key role in fighting for the nominee and maintaining that energy and momentum throughout the convention.”
Johnson said she supported Harris because throughout her career — as a prosecutor and attorney general in California, a U.S. senator and now vice president — Harris “has always fought for the oppressed and the marginalized.”
“I don’t think there’s anyone better prepared than Vice President Harris to take on Donald Trump,” Johnson said. “I’m proud that people are able to see Black women leading brilliantly. This is the highest office in the land, to see her shatter that glass ceiling, she’s earned it because she’s capable, she’s ready.”
“She won enough delegates to be the party’s nominee for president and I’m very proud to say that,” Johnson said.
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a self-employed worker.
