MICHIGAN, USA — Vice President Kamala Harris is officially the Democratic candidate for president after she accepted her nomination at the final night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Thursday.
Harris spoke to Americans in a 40-minute long speech, where she urged people to "chart a new way forward" with her.
Multiple Michiganders also spoke at the historic night at the DNC, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Senate candidate Elissa Slotkin.
Whitmer walked onto the stage to tumultuous applause and chants of "Big Gretch!"
She explained how former President Donald Trump famously referred to her as "That woman from Michigan" back in 2020, and said that "being a woman from Michigan is a badge of honor."
During her speech, Whitmer compared herself to Harris, saying that both balanced careers alongside caring for their mothers battling with cancer. She urged listeners to vote for Harris because "she's lived a life like ours."
Whitmer also asked Americans if they want Trump in the White House during major events like natural disasters and pandemics.
"One day, as you're trying to get everyone out the door, a news alert will go off. Something happened. Something hit the fan," she said. "You'll ask, 'Is my family gonna be OK?' And then you'll ask, 'Who the hell is in charge?' What if it's him? What if it's that man from Mar-a-Lago?"
Slotkin, meanwhile, emphasized national security and the importance of being able to collaborate with others when trying to solve issues like climate change. She argued that Trump would struggle to do so because "he treats our friends as adversaries and our adversaries as friends."
"So for everyone here and for everyone watching, I want you to proudly claim your patriotism," Slotkin said. "You are here because you love your country. Do not give an inch to pretenders who wrap themselves in the flag but spit in the face of the freedoms it represents."
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and West Michigan Senator Winnie Brinks also spoke at the DNC on Thursday.
Former President Donald Trump shared on Truth Social Thursday night in reaction to Harris' speech that, "She didn’t mention China, she didn’t mention fracking, she didn’t mention Energy, she didn’t mention, meaningfully, Russia and Ukraine, she didn’t mention the big subjects of the day, that are destroying our Country. There are 60 million people in poverty in the U.S., under their watch, and she doesn’t even talk about them!"
At the Republican National Convention back in July in Milwaukee, U.S. Rep. John James rallied behind Trump alongside Mike Rogers who is running for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat and former Republican presidential candidate Perry Johnson.
