Democrats across the country are returning home after attending a four-day joy-bash to officially nominate Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the party’s nominees for president and vice president. But last week’s enthusiastic coverage of the Harris-Walz ticket extended far beyond Chicago. In local papers across battlegrounds, voters in key swing states saw news of Democrats’ historic energy and unity put on full display during the Democratic convention. 

In the final stretch of the campaign, the Harris-Walz coalition will continue to turn that energy into action – mobilizing voters in every corner of the country to elect Vice President Harris, Governor Walz and Democrats up and down the ballot. Simply put, Democrats are ready to fight and win. 

Read more about the positivity captured in local coverage of last week’s Democratic convention below: 

The Washington Post: “Here’s what some swing-state voters say about the Democratic National Convention” 

Key Point: “The Post asked voters in swing states what they thought of the Democratic convention. Many respondents left with positive impressions. […]

“One Pennsylvania Democrat, a 55-year-old White woman, saw a re-energized party on display over the four days. ‘There’s more excitement and anticipation with Kamala Harris than I’ve seen since Obama,’ she said. ‘People seem more energized and hopeful for the future.’ […]

“A Michigan independent woman who leans Democratic noted how different the Democratic convention tone was from the Republican one. ‘One highlighted inclusivity and joy, and the other fear mongering and misrepresentations and outright lying.’ The 70-year-old added that she found it wonderful to see so many women in so many different positions in government come out and speak. It was inspiring.’”

The Atlanta Journal Constitution: “The Democratic National Convention put diversity on display” 

Key Point: “It’s about reflecting the country, not ‘identity politics,’ Democrats say. […]

“Compared to the Republican Party, which held its convention in Milwaukee in July, the Democratic Party is much more diverse and willing to celebrate that inclusion. There were gender-neutral bathrooms inside the United Center and a quiet space for Muslims who need to pray five times a day.

“The Democratic Party’s political machine is also a reflection of that diversity. When Kamala Harris launched her campaign for president a month ago, Black women organized a virtual event that led to others featuring Black men, white women, ‘white dudes,’ Latinos, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders voters and many other affinity groups.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer: “In Chicago, Dems redefined what it means to be American, then claimed it” 

Key Point: “Waving flags and chanting U-S-A! Democrats and Kamala Harris showed America that patriotism can be diverse and progressive. […]

“Backed by a pulsating soundtrack that jumped from the soul of Stevie Wonder to Lil Jon’s hip-hop to the Texas Americana of The Chicks, Democrats in Chicago successfully argued that their culture — a middle class full of hardworking Black and brown folks and strong women, seeking only the freedom to make their own life choices — is America’s culture. And that fighting for things like reproductive rights or against climate change should not be pigeonholed as progressive but embraced as patriotic.”

The Sun Sentinel: “Florida’s Democratic National Convention delegates fired up for Harris. ‘We’re going to win.’”

Key Point: “But they, like the rest of the Florida delegation and Democratic voters across the nation, have in the last month united behind Harris after a switch that upended the presidential race, turning it into a too-close-to-call election nationally and even eaten away at former President Donald Trump’s lead in Florida.

“‘Democrats are over the moon,’ Horowitz said. ‘I’ve spoken to Democrats who have said that even when Barack Obama ran in 2008 they did not see levels of excitement the way we are seeing now.’”

The Detroit News: “Whitmer makes case for Harris presidency on final night of DNC”

Key Point: “Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used her moment on the Democratic National Convention main stage to portray Vice President Kamala Harris as someone who is both familiar with kitchen table issues and battle-tested ready to handle a crisis and lead the nation. […]

“‘Kamala Harris, she gets us, she sees us, she is us,’ said Whitmer, who is co-chair of the Harris-Walz campaign.”

The Las Vegas Review-Journal: “Election 2024: 5 key takeaways from the DNC”

Key Point: “From delegate breakfasts to the big stage at the United Center, speakers repeatedly echoed Harris’ campaign slogan, ‘We’re not going back,’ a foil to Donald Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again.’

“While Republicans seem focused on what they see as the glory days and returning the country to past policies put in place by leaders like former President Ronald Reagan, Harris and her campaign have focused on looking toward the future, a theme heavily present throughout the week.

“Democrats repeatedly criticized Project 2025, a conservative set of policy proposals that Trump has tried to distance himself from, with many speakers throughout the week referring to it as regressive.”

The News & Observer: “‘Raise Up,’ North Carolina! When the DNC rocks and raps its roll call, NC represents.” 

Key Point: “When the roll call finally reached states that start with ‘N,’ North Carolina introduced itself to the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night with a revved-up Tar Heel anthem that got a room full of fists pumping. […]

“The Greenville-born rapper’s 2001 hit rang out through Chicago’s United Center while North Carolina took its turn in the roll call, where state party chair Anderson Clayton shouted to be heard over its raucous beat.”