LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Democratic National Convention kicks off virtually Monday night. It’s when presumptive nominee and former Vice Presiden Joe Biden will formally accept the party’s nomination for president.
Initially, the DNC was going to be held in Milwaukee, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is now being held online.
Nevada’s own U.S. Senator, Catherine Cortez Masto, will take center stage. She is expected to speak around 7:20 p.m.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama will be the headliner.
In terms of how the format will be, selected speakers like Sen. Cortez Masto, have sent in taped messages that will air on the website. The point of the convention is for Democrats to rally behind Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris.
The Nevada state democratic party says it’s also a chance for the silver state to shine.
“What we’re going to see from the leaders that we have from Nevada, who are going to be speaking to all of us, is that Nevada has a very deep bench, and we have the leaders who are going to move this state forward,” said William McCurdy II, the chairman of the Nevada State Democratic Party.
Among those leaders is Nevada State Senator Yvanna Cancela, who will speak Tuesday night as part of the convention’s keynote address. She’s one of 17 Democrats chosen from around the country. The DNC calls all of them rising stars in the party.
Nevada Democrats are planning a series of watch parties this week, to get people engaged. The Democratic National Convention continues through Thursday.
The Republican National Convention is set to take place next week.
Coverage of the DNC starts tonight on Channel 8 at 7 p.m.
