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Jimmy Williams
The traditional roll call vote, a typically staid and formulaic event, was transformed into an electrifying celebration at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night. Democrats decided to inject a dose of joy and energy into the political process, turning the roll call into a massive dance party as they awarded their delegates to Vice President Kamala Harris.
The United Center in Chicago became a sea of music, lights, and energy as DJ Cassidy, dressed in a royal blue satin suit, led the evening’s festivities. As each state and territory announced their support for Harris, DJ Cassidy played a state-themed song to amplify the mood. From Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” for Michigan to Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” for Massachusetts, the evening felt more like an elite karaoke night than a typical political gathering.
One of the night’s standout moments came when Atlanta native Lil Jon strode through the convention hall to the sound of his own hit, “Turn Down for What,” energizing the Georgia delegation and the entire crowd.
“We choose to put the party in political party,” declared one of the convention organizers, underscoring the evening’s focus on spreading positivity and unity even amid the serious mission of defeating Republican nominee Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
This festive atmosphere reflected a marked departure from the last Democratic National Convention in 2020, which, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had to be virtual. The 2020 roll call had its own unique flair, famously featuring Rhode Island’s calamari, which quickly became a viral sensation. This year, Democrats knew they needed to up the ante, and they did so with a display of music, celebrity appearances, and party unity.
Emerging Democratic stars like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear took to the stage for their respective states. Movie director Spike Lee represented New York, and actor Sean Astin, famous for his role in the iconic football film Rudy, stood with Indiana’s delegation. The eclectic mix of political leaders and cultural icons reflected the party’s commitment to showing its broad coalition.
Even as delegates danced to the beat of iconic tunes like Prince’s “1999” for Minnesota and Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” for New Jersey, the party wasn’t afraid to take risks with its musical choices. The 1996 convention in Chicago became infamous for awkward delegate dancing to the Macarena, a moment still remembered by political insiders. This year’s choices, however, struck the right note.
Some song selections even carried political undertones. The Florida delegation, for instance, used Tom Petty’s defiant anthem “I Won’t Back Down” as a nod to their state’s battle against its Republican governor, Ron DeSantis. Florida’s Democratic chairwoman Nikki Fried declared, “Florida is worth fighting for,” urging national Democrats not to abandon the state even as it trends further right.
Despite the upbeat mood, serious messages did punctuate the evening. Texas delegate Kate Cox shared her personal story about needing to travel out of state for an abortion after her request was denied by Texas’ strict abortion laws. She shared the bittersweet news that she was pregnant again, with her baby due in January. Cox’s story served as a poignant reminder of the stakes involved in the election and the issues on which Democrats are focused.
Throughout the night, the music, speeches, and dancing built toward a celebratory vote for Kamala Harris, the only candidate to garner enough signatures to be entered into nomination under Democratic Party rules. Earlier this month, the party held a virtual roll call where votes for any other person were tallied as “present.” Tuesday’s vote followed the results of that earlier count but added a jubilant, in-person twist.
“Under one groove nothing can stop us now,” DJ Cassidy declared as Bruce Springsteen’s anthem reverberated through the hall, cementing the night’s message of unity and determination.
While the evening’s roll call may have been lighthearted and celebratory, it underscored the party’s serious intent: to energize the base, unify behind Harris, and ultimately win in November.
