Updated Aug 22, 2024 - Politics & Policy
DNC lineup: Who's speaking and what to expect
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Posters of Vice President Kamala Harris created by artist Shepard Fairey in Chicago's Loop neighborhood ahead of the Democratic National Convention. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Democratic National Convention opened in Chicago on Monday, with President Biden speaking in prime time as he passes the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris.
The big picture: Harris will close out the DNC on Thursday night, after Gov. Tim Walz and former President Bill Clinton fired up the crowd Wednesday and Barack and Michelle Obama brought the energy Tuesday.
Convention organizers are releasing night-by-night themes and speaker details every day.
- Monday, "For the People": Biden and first lady Jill Biden spoke, along with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton following a welcome from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
- Basketball coach Steve Kerr and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also made high-profile speeches.
- Tuesday, "A Bold Vision for America's Future": In addition to the Obamas, second gentleman Doug Emhoff took to the stage, with a welcome from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
- Wednesday, "A Fight for Our Freedoms": Vice presidential nominee Tim Walz delivered his acceptance speech, preceded by former President Clinton, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
- Thursday, "For Our Future": Harris accepts the convention's nomination for president.
Other speakers included Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
- Former President Carter's grandson, Jason Carter, spoke on Tuesday on behalf of his grandfather, who has said he hopes to stay alive long enough to vote for Harris. That would mean all the Democratic former presidents would be represented.
- The DNC programming also includes everyday Americans who have been affected by particular issues, such as abortion bans.
Thursday's full list
- Minyon Moore, 2024 Democratic National Convention Committee chair
- Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas)
- Everett Kelly, American Federation of Government Employees national president
- Imam Muhammad Abdul-Aleem, Masjidullah Mosque, PA
- Becky Pringle, National Education Association president; and Randi Weingarten, American Federation of Teachers president
- Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
- Marcia Fudge, former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development
- Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D-Calif.)
- Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.)
- Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Democratic minority whip
- Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), assistant House Democratic leader
- Leonardo Williams, Durham, North Carolina, mayor
- Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.)
- Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.)
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
- Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.)
- Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.)
- Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.)
- Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights leader
- Joint remarks from representatives of the "Central Park Five" — including Yusef Salaam, member of the New York City Council; activists Korey Wise; Raymond Santana and Kevin Richardson
- Amy Resner, former prosecutor and friend of Vice President Harris
- Karrie Delaney, director of Federal Affairs at the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
- Lisa Madigan, former Illinois attorney general
- Marc Morial, National Urban League president
- Nathan Hornes, former Corinthian Colleges student
- Tristan Snell, former New York State assistant attorney general
- Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey
- Courtney Baldwin, youth organizer and human trafficking survivor
- Deb Haaland, U.S. interior secretary
- John Russell, content creator
- Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-Fla.)
- Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas)
- Joint Remarks by Anya Cook, of Florida; Craig Sicknick, of New Jersey; Gail DeVore, of Colorado; Juanny Romero, of Nevada; and Eric, Christian, and Carter Fitts, of North Carolina
- Kerry Washington, actor
- Meena Harris, Harris' niece
- Ella Emhoff, Harris' stepdaughter
- Helena Hudlin, Harris' goddaughter
- D.L. Hughley, actor and comedian
- Chris Swanson, sheriff of Genesee County, Michigan
- Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), joined by Abbey Clements of Newton, Connecticut; Kim Rubio of Uvalde, Texas; Melody McFadden of Charleston, South Carolina; and Edgar Vilchez of Chicago, Illinois.
- Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.)
- Performance by P!NK
- Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.)
- Leon Panetta, former U.S. defense secretary
- Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.)
- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
- Eva Longoria, actress and film producer
- Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.)
- Maya Harris, vice president's sister
- North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper
- Vice President Kamala Harris
Go deeper:
- How to watch 2024 Democratic National Convention
- Bill Clinton in DNC speech: "I'm still younger than Donald Trump"
- Hillary Clinton taunts Trump: "We have him on the run"
Editor's note: This article has been updated with additions to the schedule and to reflect that some speeches have taken place.
