As Democratic National Convention Begins, McNamara Networks with Fellow Municipal Officials
New Britain’s Council Majority Leader, Ald. John McNamara (D-4) is one of the 74 Connecticut delegates at the Democratic National Convention, which opened today in Chicago, and he says he is using the opportunity to network with fellow Democratic municipal officials from across the nation.
“I am looking forward to hearing ideas and ways that municipal governments can address homelessness, school funding equity, aging infrastructures and affordable housing that are key issues New Britain and other cities face in sustaining and building healthy communities,” said McNamara.
The Democratic Convention this year held a meeting of a new “Democratic Local Elected Officials (DLEO) Council” with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is the former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana.
McNamara says, “I am privileged to represent New Britain Democrats as part of the state delegation in Chicago and will work to mobilize support for the nominees and Congresswoman Hayes for the November 5th Election.”
The Chair of the New Britain Democratic Party from 1994 to 2016, McNamara is one of 12 delegates representing the 5th Congressional District at the National Convention, a delegation that McNamara says is, “led by Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (D-5). Other 5th CD delegates include: Elaine Werner of Avon, City Councillor Cheryl Smith of Danbury, Riju Das of Farmington, Atty. and State Party Secretary Audrey Blondin of Goshen, City Council President Pro Tem Sandra Martinez-McCarthy of Waterbury, Joyce Petteway of Waterbury, Joseph Malcarne of Wolcott and Vanita Bhalla of Woodbury.”
McNamara says that the business of the convention includes meetings of Connecticut delegates each morning, with Gov Ned Lamont (D-CT) and Connecticut members of Congress, “to hear from party leaders and luminaries.” The Convention, he adds, includes, “Committee meetings and caucuses of labor, women, LGBTQ, seniors and other constituency groups.”
Vice President Kamala Harris (D) and Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) are to be ceremonially nominated for President and Vice President at the Convention. Vice President Harris was already nominated by Democratic Convention delegates ahead of the Convention.
The keynote speeches at the Convention include President Joe Biden (D), tonight, and Gov Walz and Vice President Harris accepting the nomination as the Democratic ticket on Thursday.
Editor’s note: The cover photo is by John McNamara.
