CHICAGO – A convention roll call vote doesn’t typically evoke a lot of excitement, but Democrats managed to turn theirs into a full-blown dance party on Tuesday. DJ Cassidy took the stage, dressed in an eye-catching royal blue suit, and played a special song for each state and territory allocating their delegates to Vice President Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention. What transpired was a blend of elite karaoke night performances: Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” for Michigan, Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” for Massachusetts, and Tupac Shakur’s “California Love” for California.
Georgia made a standout appearance with Atlanta’s own Lil Jon strutting through Chicago’s United Center to the beats of “Turn Down for What,” his famous track with DJ Snake.
The Democrats were determined to infuse the political event with genuine party vibes as part of their overall mission to project joy and positivity, despite issuing somber warnings about the urgency to defeat Republican nominee Donald Trump.
This year’s roll call vote showcased the rising stars of the party like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. The event also saw the involvement of prominent figures such as movie director Spike Lee representing New York and actor Sean Astin, known for his role in the movie “Rudy,” aligning with the Indiana delegation.
The musical selections for each state added an element of risk, with past memorable moments like the 1996 convention in Chicago featuring delegates awkwardly grooving to the “Macarena.” Florida opted for Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” delivering a pointed message in its choice for Harris, which resonated as a subtle dig at Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
The roll call vote continued with states like Alabama reveling in “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Alaska backing Vice President Kamala Harris to “Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man, a group from Wasilla, the town where Sarah Palin once served as mayor.
The political soundtrack continued with Minnesota celebrating to “1999” by Paisley Park’s own Prince, Indiana grooving to Gary native Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough,” Nevada jamming to “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, and many other states highlighting their unique picks.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, there were also moments of depth and gravity, like Texas delegate Kate Cox sharing her personal story of challenges faced regarding abortion and pregnancy.
In line with Democratic Party rules, only Vice President Kamala Harris received enough nominations, with all other votes counted as “present” during the virtual roll call. The celebratory vote on Tuesday evening marked a continuation of the previous roll call totals.
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