As the Democratic Party prepares for its upcoming convention in Chicago, three delegates from Eden Prairie are set to participate in shaping the party’s future.
State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (DFL-49, Eden Prairie), Cheryl Poling, and Babar Khan will join over 4,500 delegates nationwide, including 90 from Minnesota, at the event scheduled for Aug. 19-22.
The convention follows President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection, positioning Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Cwodzinski, a former Eden Prairie High School teacher and supporter of the Biden-Harris administration, has shifted his support to Harris. He expressed his hopes for a vice-presidential candidate who can inspire youth engagement and mentioned Gov. Tim Walz, a former social studies teacher at Mankato West High School, as a potential running mate.
“I hope for a VP that can get the youth excited for the political process and their roles and responsibilities in this wonderful country,” Cwodzinski said in an email. “Maybe a VP who was a teacher. Walz :)”
Cheryl Poling, chair of the DFL 3rd Congressional District, praised Biden’s tenure and his decision to step down.
“We’re sad about Joe Biden,” Poling said. “He’s been an amazing president for us, doing a lot for veterans, military families, and others. He got us through COVID and the recovery. There’s been a lot he’s accomplished for us, but it’s understandable that he’s ready to step down and retire. I think that was the perfect decision to make.”
Poling voiced strong support for Harris, stating, “She’s a fabulous person and a fabulous candidate. I considered her very seriously before and was very happy when President Biden chose her as his vice president. I think she’s done a very good job with the tasks she’s been given and the projects she’s been working on.”
Khan shared his views on the shifting political landscape following Biden’s decision not to seek reelection.
“It is a bit risky because things are happening at the very last moment, but I’m still glad that whatever is happening is happening before the National Convention,” Khan said. “This way, we can come to a united approach as we prepare for the elections.”
He found it encouraging to see Harris’ presidential run garnering support from Biden and other Democratic leaders, both nationally and in Minnesota.
“The positive side with Kamala is that she is a strong believer in the values of the Democratic Party,” Khan said. “She supports gun violence prevention and healthcare and understands the issues faced by underrepresented communities. There’s a lot of good qualities that make her a strong candidate.”
However, Khan, as chair of the Minnesota DFL Muslim Caucus, is seeking more clarity on Harris’s stance regarding the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
“The community has concerns in light of what we have been seeing in the Middle East,” Khan said. “This needs to be addressed. We are waiting to see if there are any other candidates.”
He emphasized the need for a balanced and fair statement from Harris on the Israel-Gaza conflict, reflecting concerns within his community.
“While she and President Joe Biden are believers in human rights and the common values of the Democratic Party, which align with global human rights charters, we have recently seen a tendency to favor our allies over our values,” Khan said. “This is a concern for the community.”
A few days after Khan’s remarks, Harris, according to media reports, reiterated U.S. support for Israel while expressing deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, she called for an immediate ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid, and underscored the need for a comprehensive deal to end the conflict and address civilian suffering.
Khan described Harris’s statement as more balanced, noting that it recognized the “human catastrophe in Gaza” while advocating for peace on both sides.
“The statement gives hope, and I lean towards supporting her,” Khan said. “I hope to see more clarity on her stance regarding the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. It doesn’t seem like a full withdrawal, which could contradict the intention of freedom for both sides.”
With nominating petitions from delegates due by Tuesday, July 30, the DNC aims to secure Harris’s nomination before the convention starts on Aug. 19, ensuring a unified front heading into the 2024 election.
The DNC has set an Aug. 7 deadline for certifying their presidential nominee to comply with ballot certification requirements.
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