TACOMA, Wash. (AP) Washington Democrats wrapped up the final day of their state convention Sunday, selecting the final 34 national delegates and eight alternates to the Democratic National Convention. David McFarland of Dallas County was among the Sanders supporters who argued the elected officials and party leaders who are “super delegates” do not represent the will of the people.
Advertisement
On Saturday, some Sanders and Clinton delegates sparred over a vote to endorse a presidential candidate. Bernie Sanders won overwhelmingly in March.
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley of OR, the lone Democratic senator to have endorsed Sanders, told the gathering Saturday that the party must unite behind Clinton to defeat presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Attendees at the Washington state Democratic Convention watch a speech by U.S. Sen.
Six Iowa Democrats at the state convention each were given a chance to speak for a minute about the issue before a vote was taken.
Sanders delegates passed a motion to symbolically endorse Sanders as a state party.
Fewer people attended the final day of the convention.
Sanders supporters complain the 2016 Iowa Caucuses resulted in a near tie between Sanders and Clinton, yet six of the seven Iowa Democratic Party’s “super delegates” say they will vote for Clinton at the party’s national convention in Philadelphia.
Sanders supporter Jerry Abbott said that it’s going to be easier for them to back down and go along with what needs to happen.
Sanders, an independent who has billed himself as a Democratic socialist, has railed against what he calls an economy rigged against the middle class and the influence of money in politics, among other issues.
“After the convention, I’m going to look to volunteer for the nominee which will probably of course be Hillary Clinton”, Zukor said. “That is one thing I’m really proud of”.
At the national convention, Washington will also have 17 unpledged delegates, also known as superdelegates – party leaders and elected officials who can support any candidate.
Advertisement
In a letter sent to Sanders and Clinton on Saturday, the Democratic members of the Congressional Black Caucus said they oppose changes in both areas.
