New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will address Democrats during the party’s highly-anticipated, virtual 2020 convention.
Ocasio-Cortez, a vocal supporter of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’s far-left White House bid, will join the likes of former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to help springboard 2020 standard-bearer Joe Biden’s general election campaign via the digital pep rally.
The speaking schedule, which runs 9 p.m.-11 p.m. from Aug. 17-20, also includes many of Biden’s vanquished nomination rivals, as well as women reportedly on his running mate shortlist.
Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, California Sen. Kamala Harris, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer all have slots. Rumored contenders California Rep. Karen Bass and Obama administration national security adviser Susan Rice didn’t appear on an initial list, though officials warn the lineup is subject to change, with more names to come.
The convention, where the party will nominate and vote on the top of its Nov. 3 ticket and platform, was going to be anchored in Milwaukee, showcasing a mix of live and prerecorded messages. But organizers last week announced no speakers would travel to Wisconsin as COVID-19 cases rose in the state. They originally moved the gathering back a month to increase the likelihood of an in-person gathering.
