Lower Shore residents serve as delegates at DNC

MARYLAND – The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is underway and comes to a close on Thursday.

Delegates are gathering in Chicago, Ill.—including local leaders from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Jared Schablein, Chairperson of the Shore Progress, is just one representing Maryland’s 1st Congressional District at the DNC.

“We are responsible for nominating the Democratic nominee for President and Vice President, which will be Kamala Harris and Tim Walz,” Schablein said. “We’re super excited about that. We’re also responsible for passing the platform of the Democratic party, and the rules for the next four years.”

Schablein says he’s excited to see plenty of rural initiatives included in that platform. He added that his meetings so far with other delegates have been productive in highlighting the Eastern Shore.

“I actually have a toy muskrat that I’m bringing on the Convention floor and around to try and educate people on some of the Eastern Shore’s history, some of our culture, and use that a segway to our needs,” Schablein said.

Good-paying jobs, bringing industry back to the area, and standing for communities standing up for discrimination are just some of the things Schablein says he is advocating for at the DNC.

“I think with this ticket, we’ve seen excitement that we haven’t seen since 2008,” Schablein said. “Kamala Harris represents a lot of communities that have not seen themselves at the top of the ticket.”

Looking ahead to the return trip, Schablein says delegates from District 1 are excited to share the excitement they say is around ensuring rural communities have a seat at the DNC table.