CHICAGO (FOX 9) – President Obama took center stage at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday. The 44th president was the fifth youngest to ever be commander in chief.

As the Democratic Party pushes in a more youthful direction for this election, Minnesota is helping to lead the way with the convention’s two youngest delegates.

Youth of Today

As the youngest delegates at the convention, the two are high school seniors who will not be old enough to vote until the week before the election. 

But they’re at the convention to represent a new generation of voters, and seeing the convention with completely fresh eyes.

They stand out together among the 93 delegates from Minnesota at the Democratic National Convention.

Beatrice Schierer and Isaac Winkler, both 17 years old, described the “vibe” of the second night as electrifying.

“I’ve experienced just amazing energy, amazing, inspirational speeches,” said Beatrice Schierer, from Fergus Falls.

“It’s electric,” said Issac Winkler, of Hopkins. “I mean, everybody’s excited. You just heard us chanting ‘Walz’. We’re ready for this convention to get going.”

They’re absorbing the flurry of activity around them — sharing the perspective of younger voters with older Minnesotans and political heavyweights like Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly.

Inspiration ahead

The two say they’ll take the experience home to inspire their peers.

“I can’t even vote in the primary yet,” said Winkler. “But you can do something no matter. You know where you are or how old you are. You can make a difference.”

Both of the teens have fathers who are involved in Minnesota politics, but Tuesday night they were on their own for the first time at the convention, and they seemed to absorb every minute.

CHICAGO, Ill. (GRAY) – Minnesota has been thrust into an important position at this year’s Democratic National Convention, especially after Governor Tim Walz’s elevation a vice presidential candidate.

Prior to Walz’s appointment as Harris’s running mate, the North Star State already played a big role in national Democratic politics. Walz is the chair of the Democratic Governor’s Association, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan is the Chair of the Democratic Lieutenant Governor’s Association, and DFL Chair Ken Martin serves as a Vice Chair in the DNC.

Prominent Minnesota Democrats gathered for breakfast Tuesday in Chicago, as speakers addressed the energy among the state’s delegation.

“People outside of sort of the insiders in politics are starting to see what we have in Minnesota, with Tim Walz and all of our wonderful elected officials and the great story of success,” Martin said.

Martin and other DFLers say that Walz’s name on the Democratic ticket has enthused voters statewide. Martin is optimistic that energy will translate to results in November.

“He’s talked about on a national stage now; that should definitely help not only bring voters out, but it should help those voters vote all the way down the ballot for DFL candidates,” he said.

Lawmakers are well aware of the implications an energy like that can have. Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, also at the Minnesota delegation, says she’s optimistic about the upcoming election given what she’s seen.

“[I] think Governor Walz on the ticket is going to create more enthusiasm and more engagement in the election, which will impact our races, both in the senate, in our special election, and in the house,” she said.

Minnesota Republicans think the national attention could have the opposite effect.

“There’s a heightened level of scrutiny on him, his record, and the things he’s said over the years, and I think one of the impacts that might have on some of the down ballot races, is causing voters to question what they thought they know about him,” said Minnesota State Senator Zach Duckworth (R-Lakeville) said.

Walz is expected to address the convention Wednesday night.

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One of the greatest players in WNBA history will be honored by the Minnesota Lynx during Saturday’s game against the Indiana Fever. The franchise will retire Moore’s No. 23 jersey at Target Center.

The plan to retire Moore’s jersey has been in the works for many months, with the team announcing the decision and date back in March. She will become the fifth player in Lynx history to have her number retired, along with Lindsay Whalen, Rebekkah Brunson, Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles.

“We look forward to welcoming Maya back to Target Center to commemorate her prolific career,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said in March. “To stand with Maya as her number 23 jersey is hoisted into the Target Center rafters will be incredibly exciting.”

Moore was the No. 1 pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft by the Lynx. She then enjoyed an eight-year career in the league, spending it all in Minnesota. She was named the 2011 WNBA Rookie of the Year and earned league MVP honors in 2014. Moore was a six-time All-Star selection.

Moore helped lead Minnesota to a dominant run in the 2010s, winning four league titles in seven years (2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017). She was named WNBA Finals MVP in 2013.

“I am so excited to be able to come back to connect, celebrate and remember so many of the special memories I was able to be a part of with this Lynx family,” said Moore. “I’m still so amazed at what we were able to accomplish as a group and even more amazed at how well we did it together!”

At the end of her professional career, Moore had appeared in 271 games, scored 4,984 points, grabbed 1,589 rebounds, dished out 896 steals and recorded 449 steals. She also totaled 31 double-doubles.

Moore also played in 56 career playoff games with the Lynx.

Prior to her time in the WNBA, Moore enjoyed a sensational college career while at UConn (2007-11). She was a four-time All-American selection and was twice named the Naismith National Player of the Year. Moore won two national championships with the Huskies under coach Geno Auriemma.

Saturday’s game will be unique as the Lynx celebrate one of the greatest players in WNBA history. It will also feature one of the game’s rising stars, with the Fever bringing rookie guard Caitlin Clark into town.

Indiana and Minnesota are scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET tipoff with the game airing on NBA TV.