PHILADELPHIA — The Democratic National Convention is underway at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, and it's starting with controversy.
Monday’s theme is United Together, but Bernie Sanders supporters are furious over newly-exposed, hacked emails showing a movement to make sure Hillary Clinton got the nomination.%
%
Channel 2’s Craig Lucie traveled to Philadelphia for the convention and spent the day tracking down Georgia delegates, who are very excited to be a part of history.
Many of the delegates will be taking the stage, and they explained the effect Georgia will have on this big election.
The Mayor of Baltimore gaveled in the convention amid controversy over hacked emails, which prompted DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz to step aside.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Michelle Obama to speak at DNC Monday
- Pro-Sanders demonstrators march in the sweltering heat
- DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to resign
As the Rev. Cynthia Hale of DeKalb County gave the invocation, Sanders supporters began chanting his name.
Georgia might not have the most prominent spot on the convention floor, but several Georgians are playing important roles at the convention, beyond the 126 delegates and alternates.
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin is the co-chair of the party's platform committee.
“(It’s the) most progressive platform in convention history. Wages, families, climate change. It’s a good platform,” Franklin told Lucie.
Franklin was expected to address the convention Monday.
Several other high-profile Georgians are also set to speak. They include Georgia house minority leader Stacey Abrams, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, who campaigned with Clinton, and former gubernatorial candidate Jason Carter.
“I've lived long enough to know that this diversity was not always reflected in the Georgia delegation. I'm proud to be part of the state that made a huge transition over the last 30 years,” Franklin said.
Democrats say the state's demographics are shifting, making the state more likely to go for the democrats.
“The Georgia Democratic Party will realize Georgia is definitely in play. We have a lot of democrats and Georgia democratic-leaning people need to get polls, get engaged to polls, let them know they are important,” said Sanders delegate Ladawn Jones.
Delegates acknowledge switching the state from red to blue, though, will not be easy.
“Do you think that Georgia could turn blue?” Lucie asked Franklin.
“I think we have a lot more work to do. I'm optimistic we are going in the right direction,” Franklin said.
Among the headliners set to speak Monday night are First Lady Michelle Obama and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Cox Media Group
