The 92 delegates and six alternates from Minnesota who are gathered in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention is making it a family affair for one family.
Former Democratic House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler's son Isaac is the youngest delegate in the country at just 17-years old. He's eligible for the role because he'll turn 18 a few days before Election Day.
"I thought it was pretty gutsy," the elder Winkler explained to WCCO's Susie Jones. "He was running against adults, not against kids. And when he came through and won, I was just very proud."
As for what the younger Winkler has learned from his political father?
"It starts with just being a good person and with good intentions and then everything else goes from there," says Isaac who is a senior at Hopkins High School.
They gathered for the first day of the convention at a Chicago hotel for their daily breakfast together where Isaac get his first experience as a delagate Monday. What is he most looking forward to?
"I think I'm just looking forward to listening to as many leaders as I can, trying to take in the whole convention as a whole and then, you know, listening to the plans for the future and trying to go from there," he said.
The Democratic National Convention begins in Chicago today, with Minnesota sending 92 delegates and 6 alternates to represent the state.
HISTORIC CONVENTION
Prior to leaving for Chicago, WCCO's Susie Jones caught up with Minnesota Democratic party chair Ken Martin about what to expect.
The 2024 Democratic National Convention is going to historic.
First off, it's the first in-person convention our party's had in eight years," says Martin.
He says being together, in-person, will make a difference with the majority of the delegates attending for the first time. Martin said that building and maintaining the momentum behind the Harris-Walz team will be critical going forward.
"Part of this convention is to make sure that we keep that enthusiasm high," he says. "We come out of here able to, you know, keep our foot on the gas so to speak. And to energize people throughout the country around our nominees and our values."
Martin says the group from Minnesota is excited for the week ahead. They're part of the roughly 50,000 people expected to arrive in the Windy City.
"Every delegate brings their own sort of 'why' to this, why they ran for delegate, why they're here, what they hope to get out of it," explained Martin. "But generally what I've seen so far is people are so enthusiastic and pumped up to be here, and ready for the long week ahead."
Minnesota plays a starring role with Governor Tim Walz on the ticket as the nominee for vice president with current VP Kamala Harris. And Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan is taking on a new role as co-chair of the Democratic National Committee.
EXPECT PROTESTS
That group coming to Chicago includes thousands of anti-war activists who plan to demonstrate near the United Center where Vice President Kamala Harris will officially accept the party’s nomination.
Protesters were outside the Democratic National Convention, hoping to call attention to such issues as economic injustice, reproductive rights and the war in Gaza.
While Vice President Kamala Harris has galvanized the party as she gears up to accept the Democratic nomination, activists say their plans to demonstrate haven’t changed. They’re ready to amplify their progressive message before the nation’s top Democratic leaders.
Their issues cover climate change, abortion rights and racial equality, to name a few, but many activists agree an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war is the overarching message of the demonstrations. They’ve likened it to the Vietnam War of their generation. The Chicago area has one of the largest Palestinian communities in the nation and buses are bringing activists to Chicago from all over the country.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.