As Democratic National Convention nears, Oklahoma delegates reflect party uncertainty

With Republicans starting their national nominating convention in Milwaukee on Monday, Oklahoma’s Democratic delegates to their party’s Chicago convention in mid-August reflect the uncertainty many have over President Joe Biden’s selection to be a candidate in the November general election.

“Biden’s my guy,” says Alicia Andrews , head of Oklahoma’s Democratic party.

“If it was up to me, I would tell everybody to shut up about having him drop out of the race and focus on reelecting a president who will preserve our democracy,” Andrews told The Oklahoman in a brief interview.

Referring to former President Donald Trump, expected to be the Republican presidential nominee, Andrews said, “we sure don’t want that dictator wannabe. We need to ride with the guy who beat him once and can beat him again.”

But while Andrews is supportive of Biden, former Gov. David Walters said it will be increasingly difficult for Biden to continue as the party’s nominee if swing state polls continue to deteriorate. “Fifty states don’t elect a president anymore,” Walters said. “In reality, it’s only about 10 states.”

Should Biden step aside, Walters said he hoped the party would have an open and transparent nomination process. “It strengthens the ticket a lot more if there’s a little competition,” he said.

Walters, in addition to his spot as a delegate, also serves on the executive committee of the Democratic National Committee. Walters said he was attending this year’s convention with his 17-year-old grandson, Harrison Fried, who was serving as a page.

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Walters said this year’s convention could be a historic one for Democrats, if it actually chooses the presidential nominee. “That’s the way it used to be done,” he said. “There’s no reason it wouldn’t work again.”

Walters also downplayed claims that it was too late in the process to change candidates. “If the UK can change its entire government in six weeks, then we should be able to,” he said. “So we’re going to prepare for what could be a very historic and interesting convention.”

The Oklahoma party’s website lists 13 of some 40 delegates from the state expected to attend the Chicago convention starting Aug. 19, including Walters and current state House Democratic leader Cyndi Munson, D-OKC. Walters served as governor from 1991-95.

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Currently the state has a Republican governor, all Republicans in its seven-member Congressional delegation and a strong majority of Republicans in both houses of the state legislature.

Discussions about Biden are distractions, Oklahoma Democratic delegate says

Oklahoma Democratic Committee delegate at-large Antwuan Jackson II said he thinks President Biden should stay in the campaign, noting he and the vice president are “our best hope for protecting the future of our country.”

“The opposition offers no credible alternative. They have shown themselves to be divisive, lacking in character, and detrimental to the interests of minorities, the middle class, working class Americans, and small business owners,” Jackson said in a statement.

Jackson said the discussions about President Biden’s age and mental acuity are distractions from substantial progress and meaningful change he and Vice President Kamala Harris have already achieved. He said he has heard from voters that they see a stark contrast between the presidential candidates, with Biden offering integrity and dedication to public service.

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“Oklahoma voters, regardless of political affiliation, recognize the importance of a leader who can uphold the principles of honesty, competence and compassion in guiding our country forward,” he said.

Matthew Lucas, also an at-large delegate, said he believes that the party is firmly behind Biden. Lucas told The Oklahoman he believes the conversation surrounding Biden’s age and mental state are a “sideshow distraction.”

The Democratic National Convention in August should highlight the stark differences between the two parties, Lucas said, adding that more than 40 delegates from Oklahoma would be attending.

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“I think that’s going to be a defining point of this convention, making sure that we reiterate not only to our state delegates and everyone, but to the American people as well, that it is a real threat to our democracy,” he said. Lucas is going to the national convention for the first time and he’s assigned as a floor whip for Oklahoma’s fourth congressional district. More than 40 delegates from Oklahoma are attending.

M. Scott Carter and Jordan Gerard contributed to this story.