Arizona Democrats Fired Up as DNC Launches Excitement and Energy

CHICAGO – Arizona Democrats entered the national convention on a hopeful note, shedding previous anxieties about the presidential race. The atmosphere shifted dramatically with Vice President Kamala Harris now at the top of the ticket, invigorated by President Joe Biden’s departure from the race.

Delegate Llama Habern of Cornville articulated the palpable enthusiasm, saying many feel “excited, invigorated and happy.” The sentiment reflects a collective motivation that has gripped the party in the lead-up to the election.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, speaking at the convention, urged party members to rally around Harris. Alongside Mitch Landrieu, former mayor of New Orleans, she described the Democratic platform as a “forward-looking vision that echoes the voices of us all.” Romero emphasized Harris’s potential to enact change, stating, “Vice President Harris is now carrying the torch.”

Romero contrasted Harris’s vision with former President Donald Trump’s agenda, criticizing him for prioritizing “big oil, big pharma, big banks,” while advocating for his own interests. Other Arizona delegates reinforced this narrative, highlighting the courage it took for Biden to withdraw, thus igniting renewed energy among Democrats.

State Sen. Priya Sundareshan of Tucson remarked that Harris’s momentum has strengthened Democrats’ hopes of reclaiming control in the Legislature. Recent polls from The New York Times and Siena College indicate Harris has gained a lead over Trump in Arizona, a significant turnaround from earlier this year.

While enthusiasm for top-of-the-ticket races is growing, Sundareshan noted the ongoing necessity to win statehouse seats. Swing voters are particularly concerned about issues like reproductive freedom and public school funding, placing additional importance on state-level elections.

State Sen. Eva Burch of Mesa echoed these sentiments, asserting that Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are positioned to achieve bipartisan solutions. Burch acknowledged potential disagreements on social issues but stressed the need for cooperation where possible.

Despite a Republican registration advantage in Arizona, the atmosphere surrounding the Democrats is changing. Mark Robert Gordon, a Phoenix attorney and DNC member, pointed out that after Biden stepped aside, Harris’s elevation has created a noticeable shift in momentum and energy within the party.

Gordon remarked on the enthusiastic turnout at a recent rally in Glendale, indicating significant grassroots support. “This is something special,” he said, describing the renewed vigor among delegates.

The convention faced some logistical challenges, including a large pro-Palestinian protest that impacted transportation for delegates. Gordon, however, took the disruptions in stride, viewing them as a necessary element of democratic expression: “Democracy is in action here.”