Democrats’ Roll Call: Dance Party with Celebrities, State Songs, Lil Jon

Democrats organized a “celebratory” roll call vote to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris on the second night of their convention in Chicago. (AP produced by Ao Gao)

CHICAGO (AP) — Convention roll call votes can often be predictable and dull, but Democrats turned theirs into the ultimate dance party on Tuesday.

DJ Cassidy took the stage in a double-breasted satin suit of royal blue, spinning special songs for each state and territory awarding their delegates to Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention. The event resembled an elite karaoke night with Detroit native Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” for Michigan, Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” for Massachusetts, and Tupac Shakur’s “California Love” for California.

Georgia brought out its very own native: Atlanta’s Lil Jon, who strutted through Chicago’s United Center to the beats of “Turn Down for What,” his collaboration with DJ Snake.

Democrats were determined to infuse joy and positive energy into their gathering, even while emphasizing the critical need to defeat Republican nominee Donald Trump.

During the pandemic-restricted 2020 convention, the party used a video roll call, which famously featured Rhode Island’s state dish, calamari. This year, Democrats felt the pressure to up the ante.

The roll call vote highlighted emerging political stars such as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Movie director Spike Lee represented New York, while actor Sean Astin, known for his role in the Notre Dame football movie “Rudy,” was with the Indiana delegation.

The musical selections had their risks. The 1996 Democratic convention in Chicago is famously remembered for delegates awkwardly dancing to “Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix)” by Los del Río. That video is still popular among political enthusiasts nearly three decades later.

Florida’s delegation chose Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” as their anthem, subtly jabbing at the state’s Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis. The song was part of DeSantis’ failed Republican presidential primary campaign.

“Florida is worth fighting for,” declared state Democratic chairwoman Nikki Fried, arguing that her state deserves national Democratic campaigning despite its rightward shift and likelihood of voting for Trump in November.

Alabama embraced “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Alaska announced their support for Harris with “Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man, a band from Wasilla, the former hometown of Republican Sarah Palin.

Minnesota went with “1999” by Prince, a native of Paisley Park. Indiana, represented by Sean Astin, chose Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough.” Nevada played “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, a synth-pop band from Las Vegas. Kansas selected “Carry On My Wayward Son” by the rock band Kansas, and New Jersey picked Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA.”

“Under one groove, nothing can stop us now,” DJ Cassidy declared over Springsteen’s anthem.

Despite the overall festive atmosphere, the roll call announcements were not devoid of serious moments. Texas’ Kate Cox shared that her request for an abortion during a troubled pregnancy was rejected by the state’s supreme court, forcing her to travel elsewhere for the procedure. She revealed on the floor that she was again pregnant and due in January.

Under Democratic Party rules, only Harris amassed enough signatures to be entered into nomination. Votes for any other person or uncommitted votes were tallied as “present” during the earlier virtual roll call this month. Tuesday night’s “celebratory” vote followed the outcome of that earlier roll call.