PA Lawmakers at DNC inspired by historic Kamala Harris nomination

For Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton and State Rep. Arvind Venkat, this week’s Democratic National Convention was their first and they shared their experiences hours before Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president. 

Prior to the balloons falling from the United Center’s rafters and Vice President Kamala Harris accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination to take on Donald Trump this November, The Keystone interviewed Pennsylvania House members enjoying their first Democratic National Convention. 

“I was a guest one night in 2016 when it was in my hometown of Philly. It’s so awesome to be here everyday on the floor for the speeches,” House Speaker Joanna McClinton said in an interview prior to walking onto the convention floor to watch Harris become the official nominee. 

“When I think of the first woman who is both Asian and African American about to accept the nomination from our party to become the first woman president, I think about my late grandmothers They were both women who were born in the early 20th century, they could not vote at age 18 even though suffrage had passed because women of color still could not vote in this nation, but here we are in 2024.”

The energy inside Chicago’s United Center was electric all week and Thursday was no different. The arena was packed to capacity with hundreds of supporters crammed into the standing room section behind the arena’s nosebleed seats.

Pennsylvania’s delegation to the DNC were able to witness the week’s festivities from the front of the convention floor, highlighting the state’s importance as one of the top swing states in the country. 

“It’s really been an eye-opening experience for me,” State Rep. Arvind Venkat said in an interview earlier this week.

“One of the big things that I’ve learned is both how diverse Pennsylvania is, as well as our country is, as well as how we as Democrats are able to bring all of this diversity together to really move forward with an agenda for the country.”

For Venkat there’s a personal connection that he shares with Harris. Venkat hails from the same part of Southern India, located in the state of Tamil Nadu, as Harris’ mother. 

“I was born in the same part of India where Kamala Harris’ mom is from, and I still have family there. I said this the other day that it’s going to be extraordinary to see her accept the nomination today, but I almost wish I was back home in Pittsburgh with my wife, my son and my two daughters who are both going to be able to vote for the first time in this election.”

“For them as young women of Indian origin to see someone with the same background being able to be our presidential nominee, it really speaks to the possibilities of this country.”