Eugene weekly., July 14, 2016, Page 10, Image 10

NEWS
BY KIANNA CABUCO
LOCAL DELEGATES PREPARE FOR
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
D
elegates from Lane County are preparing to head
to the Democratic National Convention July 25-
28 in Philadelphia, where the party will officially
nominate its presidential and vice presidential can-
didates for the 2016 election. It is also where the
Democratic Party adopts its official platform.
According to the Democratic Party of Oregon’s web-
site, “Senator Sanders has earned 36 of Oregon’s 61 elect-
ed delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Sec.
Clinton has earned 25 delegates.”
Delegates are elected or appointed at the local or state
level to represent the state’s voters at a national level. Each
delegate is legally bound to support their particular candi-
date at the national convention, and the candidates acquire
delegates based on the proportion of votes they receive in
every state.
One of the delegates for Bernie Sanders is University
of Oregon student Corinne Ellis. This will be Ellis’ first
convention. “It’s still a little bit surreal because not a lot
of 22-year-olds get to do this,” Ellis says. “I saw it as an
opportunity to make my voice heard … I feel like students
are consistently excluded from the political process, and
Bernie Sanders was inspiring about getting young people
involved.”
She says her greatest interest is Sanders’ idea of af-
fordable higher education. “I think in order to have a well
working democracy, education is vital,” Ellis says. “I think
his idea of tuition-free college is very idealistic, but I also
think it’s very attainable.”
Matthew Keating, who introduced Bernie Sanders
with a Shakespearean sonnet when Sanders campaigned
in Springfield, is a political consultant and represents the
more seasoned convention veteran. He is a delegate for
Sanders and also serves on the board of higher education at
Lane Community College. “From my point of view,” Keat-
ing says, “tuition-free higher education is the key. Educa-
tion, fundamentally, should be a right.”
This will be Keating’s third consecutive convention. He
attended both conventions where President Barack Obama
was nominated, and after this convention, he will have
taken the train to each one.
“I’m a huge train supporter,” Keating says. “It’s less of
proportionately affect women. Yes, male elected officials
a carbon footprint and is more cost effective.” He adds, “It
are in support of those things, but often times, it’s women
allows me to underscore the fact that the Democratic Na-
who are the real champions of them.”
tional Committee doesn’t have an environmental caucus,
This will be Fahey’s first convention, and she says she
and we should.”
is excited that Emerge America is going to have a substan-
According to Keating, Oregon does have an environ-
tial presence at the convention this year. “I hope to be able
mental caucus with a progressive platform, but his goal is
to meet other Democrats from around the country,” Fahey
to create one nationally to allow for greater environmental
says. “I think it will be really great to get a chance to talk to
awareness.
other people about what’s going on in their states.”
“I believe in the senator’s platform,” Keating tells EW.
Another delegate pledged to Clinton is Ryan Kounovsky,
“This movement that Bernie has helped create is not go-
a graduate of the UO and campaign manager for Rep. Phil
ing away, and we’re
Barnhart, Rep. John
going to continue to
Lively and Rep. Nan-
advocate,
passion-
cy Nathanson. This is
ately, for real, serious
Kounovsky’s first con-
reform that helps all
vention, and he says
Americans, not just the
he hopes to be able to
wealthiest few.”
represent young peo-
Julie Fahey is trea-
ple and Lane County
surer of the Demo-
well, as well as learn
cratic Party of Oregon
what programs are
who is a pledged dele-
working in other states
gate to Hillary Clinton.
to get more democrats
She is also a graduate
elected.
— CORINNE ELLIS,
of Emerge Oregon,
“I’m most excited
D E L E G AT E F O R B E R N I E S A N D E R S T O T H E D N C
which trains Demo-
about [Clinton’s] way
cratic women to run
of bringing people
for office. She is run-
into
conversations
ning for Oregon House
that are going to bring
change,” Kounovsky
District 14 in the Or-
says. “I think she really wants to make a difference and she
egon State Legislature in the fall.
is open to doing that in whatever way is going to be best
“I am very passionate about getting more women into
for all people.”
office at the local level, at the state level and at the national
He adds, “I’m really excited about her involvement in
level,” Fahey says. She explains that there is a trickle-
the LGBTQ community. I believe she also understands
down effect when women hold high positions in offices
things going on in minority communities where people are
where there are then more women holding positions in of-
being oppressed.”
fice at lower levels of government. She says she hopes that
Kounovsky says, “There’s still some tragic violence go-
a greater effect will be created if Clinton is elected.
ing on, and things need to be changed with the way we are
“There are different priorities when women are in of-
treating all of the people in our country.”
fice,” Fahey says pointing to issues such as affordable
childcare, equal pay and paid sick days, “things that dis-
What’s important for summertime adventures?
Precious Cargo!
Baskets, racks and bells complete your bike.
Carry groceries, a package, a picnic, or…
your adorable pet! When it comes to
accessories, our selection is tops.
2705 Willamette St • 541.484.5410
Mon–Fri 11–7, Sat 10–6, Sun 12–5
‘I think in order to
have a well working
democracy, education
is vital.’
SALE
Friday, July 15 thru Monday, July 18
Take an extra 20% off all sale shoes on Monday!
Huge discounts on selected
sandals, shoes & boots from
your favorite Footwise brands!
FIND INCREDIBLE BARGAINS AT THE GARAGE SALE
limited to stock on hand
Downtown Eugene • 181 E Broadway • 541.342.6107
Facebook.com/footwiseeugene • Mon-Sat 10-6 & Sun 11-5
10
July 14, 2016 • eugeneweekly.com