From the Eyes (and Tired Feet) of a First-Time DNC Delegate

Opinion for The Latino Newsletter

Editor’s Note: Hi, it’s Julio. Before you read Daniela’s firsthand account of last week’s DNC as a first-time delegate, just a quick thing from my end. I messed up with the subject line for August 23’s afternoon post. It was a bad typo I didn’t catch before I hit “send.” My apologies. The headline has been corrected in the web version.

Chicago and the 2024 DNC

Dear Diary,

This week was a marathon run in sprints. 

The sense of collective joy and freedom at my first Democratic National Convention (DNC) was the antidote to the frenetic pace of 14-hour, 14,000-step days.

My heart is full.

And my feet hurt.

This convention is the Super Bowl for political enthusiasts. Each day we hear from prominent figures and take selfies with politicians we've only seen on TV. I made time to connect with my fellow Diasporicans amid the hustle to the United Center each evening, because being with mi familia política is just as important to me as showing up for Democrats.

Here’s a snapshot of my week.

Saturday, August 17

After touching down in Chicago, I took a constituent call and then enjoyed a quiet solo evening (scrolling Instagram, and later, meditating) to prepare myself for the week ahead.

Sunday, August 18

My partner, Byron, and my sister, Venus, flew in. Venus, who is 17 years my senior and spent most of her career working as a public affairs consultant, came from Seattle to spend time with me, volunteer for the DNC and soak up the political scene. 

Political sightings: We catch speeches from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) and Minority House Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY) about the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act at the LiUNA reception.

A Peruvian dinner with my Chicago relatives capped the night. 

Monday, August 19

Picked up my credentials from the Missouri delegation just before 9 a.m. and secured a nighttime pass for my sister, earning some serious Best Sister Ever points. Also, I learned the currency of the week: credentials.

Political sightings: Hispanic Caucus Chair and Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Iris Martinez; Harris Campaign Manager Julie Chávez Rodriguez, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona; Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA); Rep. Maxwell Frost (FL); DNC Chair Jamie Harrison and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

At first, I hang out in the non-delegate section with my sister and my colleague. Once the seats fill up, I head to the Missouri section on the floor.  

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (TX) got emotional as she shared her experience adjusting to life as a freshman congresswoman. I could relate—being an elected official is tough! My first year as an alderperson felt like a firehose to the face, and I’m sure Congress is even more intense.

Unbeknownst to me, a TV camera caught me tearing up. My phone lit up with texts and Facebook messages from people across my network.

Tuesday, August 20

Picked up my credentials at 8:30 a.m. and headed to the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, where I joined leaders to demand a fair self-determination process for Puerto Rico. Last week, I signed a letter to urge the DNC to change their platform on the island.

Political star sightings (mostly Boricua edition): Rep. Cori Bush (my congresswoman!); Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL); former Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez; Puerto Rico Senator Ana-Irma Rivera Lassen; Rep. Johana López (FL); New Hampshire State Senate candidate Carlos Cardona; New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert (NY); Chicago Alderperson Jessie Fuentes; Chicago Alderperson Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Illinois State Senator Omar Aquino. 

On TV again! Friends spotted me during Roll Call, as “Good Luck, Babe!” by Missouri’s own Chappell Roan played in the arena.

I’d waited nearly two hours to get inside, only to find myself stuck outside by orders of the Secret Service. I ran from one side of the convention center to the other, ducking under the TV cameras and hopping up on the railing to make my cameo. 

Wednesday, August 21

I picked up my credentials at 7:40 a.m. and heard Rep. Ro Khanna (CA) and former Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill speak to our delegation. Who needs coffee when you’re fired up to fight and win? 

Next stop: the jam-packed UnidosUS reception where I see Rep. Ramirez (again), Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (IL), and nearly everyone from the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus. 

Having learned my rookie DNC lesson about arriving late, I hop on the delegate shuttle at 3 p.m. 

The lineup tonight felt joyful. Oprah reminded us how hard our ancestors (including U.S. Rep. John Lewis and Tessie Prevost Williams, a member of the New Orleans Four) fought for our freedoms. Oprah called on us to vote for a ticket that represents the best of us and our democracy. 

Bringing out the Mankato (Minnesota) West High School state football champs was the perfect opener for Gov. Tim Walz. His genuine gratitude, love for family and country is exactly the kind of non-toxic masculinity we need. My partner sent my “Coach Walz” banner to his high school friend, a social studies teacher at Century High School in Rochester, Minn., to hang up in his classroom.

Yet I was troubled at the DNC’s refusal to let a Palestinian speak, one of the demands from the Uncommitted National Movement, a group of delegates urging the party to advocate for an arms embargo and a permanent ceasefire. To me, Democrats missed an opportunity to unify voters and give voice to all people affected by the war.

Thursday, August 22

Today’s the day for history to be made.

I picked up my credentials at 7:45 a.m. and then headed to the South Carolina delegation’s breakfast. Vice Chair Mayra Rivera-Vazquez invited me to speak to their delegation about being the first Latina elected in the City of St. Louis and the need to ensure women and Latinos vote. South Carolina is a growing part of the diaspora—more than 40,000 Puerto Ricans live in the state. 

At 11:30 a.m., I joined fellow Boricua electeds and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at a press conference focused on Chicago's leadership in the conversation on Puerto Rico’s right to a clear and transparent self-determination process.

The press conference solidified my feelings that the voices from Gaza must be heard as well. I sign onto the Ceasefire Delegates' letter as I think about our Missouri delegation’s participation in the ceasefire sit-in outside the convention.

I ran back to the hotel, changed into an all-white outfit and headed back to the packed-to-capacity arena with my sister.

Highlights included Michigan Gov. Gretchen “Big Gretch” Whitmer, the call for gun control reform, and, of course, the moment Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic nomination for President of the United States of America.

Our future president is right. We cannot afford to go back. This election is not just the most important in our lifetime, but one of the most important in the life of our nation.

Monday, August 26

As I reflect on this week, my hope is that in the next 70 days, the Democratic Party will truly embrace a diverse set of voices—not just in words, but in actions. In Missouri, and across the nation, we have an opportunity to do something.

A lot of things, actually. 

We can choose hope over hate, courage over cowardice and compassion over indifference. We’re in a position to break the Republican supermajority in our state legislature, restore abortion access, raise the minimum wage and chart a new course for Democrats.

Let’s show America who we really are.

I am back home.

I am exhausted, yet inspired.

Let’s all get out there and DO SOMETHING.

Daniela

About the Author

Daniela Velázquez served as a 2024 Democratic delegate and is the 6th Ward alderperson for the City of St. Louis. 

_{The Latino Newsletter welcomes opinion pieces in English and/or Spanish from community voices. You can email them to our publisher, Julio Ricardo Varela. The views expressed by outside opinion contributors do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of this outlet. As for our disclaimer about DNC coverage, our editorial position is that our coverage does not mean at all that we endorse the Democratic Party or its positions. We are independent journalists. We also believe that our community is smart to make decisions for themselves. They always have been.}