Local delegate shares her 'Super Bowl' experience as the DNC kicks off this evening

Christa Dubrock - CD1 Kentucky Pledged Delegate to Biden/Harris 2020 at
​Democratic National Convention

As the 2020 Democratic National Convention kicks off this evening, Americans will come together  virtually  for the next four days August 17 through August 20 from 8 - 10 pm (CST). COVID-19 forced the democrats to switch from a planned in-person Milwaukee event to a virtual broadcast via television, streaming, and social media. Tonight's speakers include Michelle Obama, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and a Republican, former Governor of Ohio John Kasich. 

We're lucky to have a proud democratic delegate in Paducah, Kentucky. Dubrock answered a few questions about her experience prior to the convention and her expectations during the four day event. 

Q and A with Christa Dubrock Democratic Delegate in 2020. Dubrock is the Director of Training Logistics and Administration at Computer Services Incorporated.

Are you excited about being a delegate for the democratic party 2020?

A friend of mine said it best, 'The Democratic National Convention is like my Super Bowl,' and I would agree. It’s exciting to envision a future in which we reject the current divisiveness and return to the country I remember from not that long ago: the UNITED States of America. I’m thrilled with the opportunity to be a part of that movement, a movement of hope for our country. 

How many delegates are in Kentucky and do you communicate with them?

There are 60 Kentucky delegates, and they come from all across the state. The numbers are based on the population of the congressional district and there are equal numbers of men and women. The delegates have had several meetings leading up to the convention with lots of opportunity to interact with each other. It's been a unique and exciting experience.

What is your primary responsibility as a delegate?

My primary responsibility is actually already complete, and that was voting for my candidate: Joe Biden. We also have accessibility to the caucuses of our choice.  For instance, tonight I will participate in the Women’s Caucus and on Tuesday will join the Rural Caucus meeting. These caucus and council meetings are open to both delegates and the public. Americans can participate by signing up for caucus meetings at https://demconvention.com. 

How do you become a delegate?

The process of electing delegates for national conventions has traditionally been somewhat complex, where candidates for delegate run to represent their party and the primary votes of their congressional district. Running for delegate during the pandemic increased that complexity, as it has for a lot of our normal processes. The DNC decided that it was important to keep voters safe and healthy at home, so campaigning for a delegate spot was exclusively digital. That required a pivot for all of the delegate candidates, shifting strategies from in person campaigning to online. Many of the delegate candidates, myself included, turned to social media to bridge the gap. I am incredibly grateful for some very dear friends who were critical in promoting my candidacy through this process.

Will you attend the virtual convention each night?

Although it’s not required that I attend every event every night, it’s certainly encouraged (and I wouldn't be a very good delegate if I didn't!), especially for the main events which take place from 8-10 central time. There are several other events that take place each night, as well. For instance, Governor Andy Beshear will participate in a pre-show panel discussion on Thursday night from 6-7 p.m. hosted by the Democratic Governors Association, moderated by Stacy Abrams. That should be a fascinating discussion and one I don't want to miss.