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National delegates to take their voices to Charlotte
4/20/2012
The Colorado Statesman
At Saturday’s Democratic state assembly, 1,411 delegates were in attendance. Eighty-six delegates, who have all pledged their support for President Obama, will be advancing to the national convention in Charlotte, N.C. in August. Denver resident, educator and healthcare reform activist Lydia Guzman, was elected as a party leader and elected official delegate. She has been to three state conventions before, but had never run as a national delegate. Guzman, who also works as a precinct committeeperson in House District 9, said that voters in her district tell her they will all be voting for Obama, but they don’t show much enthusiasm when it comes to participating in local political functions, such as caucuses and assemblies. “I tell them it’s really important to stay involved and to participate at the local level because that’s the power,” Guzman said. “That’s where we can make change and support our candidate. We can’t let our energy go down, we need to support Obama.” Alejandro J. Aguilar, a letter carrier from Colorado Springs, was elected as a national delegate at-large. He said compared to state conventions he has attended in the past, this year’s could have used “a little more pep.” “We all know what we’re here to do, and we actually have a battle on our hands,” Aguilar said. “People need to realize that. Where I work, the youngsters don’t get up and fight. Everything is being handed to them. They need to start getting involved and fighting, that’s what we need to see here.” Forty-four out of the 1,411 delegates did not pledge for Obama, but their numbers were not substantial enough to be reflected in the final delegate count. Representatives for the unpledged delegates were allowed five minutes to speak, where they voiced their ultimate support for the president and his “substantial accomplishments,” but not without a list of criticisms. Among the criticisms of the president was the extension of the Patriot Act, the failure to close Guantanomo Bay, the continuation of the Bush tax cuts, and the lack of leadership to overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling. Party leader and elected official delegates: At-large delegates: 1st Congressional District delegates: 2nd Congressional District delegates: 3rd Congressional District delegates: 4th Congressional District delegates: 5th Congressional District delegates: 6th Congressional District delegates: 7th Congressional District delegates: Alternates: Democratic National Committee members: Presidential Electors: |
May. 17, 2013Vol. 114, No. 20 |
