DENVER – Gov. John Hickenlooper and Colorado House Majority Leader Crisanta Duran are scheduled to speak next week at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Committee officials announced the list of speakers Thursday, though they did not say when the two elected officials would speak at the four-day convention, which begins Monday.
Both Duran and Hickenlooper are speaking in support of presumptive presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Colorado, while leaning in Clinton’s direction, could prove critical to her success this fall.
“It’s an honor to take part in the Democratic National Convention next week and to have the opportunity to speak to so many Americans about the ways we can come together to tackle the challenges our country is facing,” Hickenlooper said in a statement. “That’s what we’ve done here in Colorado, and that’s exactly the type of approach to problem-solving Hillary will bring to the White House.”
Hickenlooper was eyed as a running mate for Clinton. But recent reports suggest that he did not make the final cut.
The governor may still be considered for a cabinet position, if Clinton wins in November.
“Hillary will make history at this convention when she accepts our party’s nomination for president, and I’m humbled to be a part of it,” Hickenlooper added.
Colorado Democrats backed Bernie Sanders at the March 1 caucus, offering him 59 percent of the vote to Clinton’s 40 percent. Delegates in the Democratic Party are pledged, but they are not bound. They could change their vote. Much of Colorado’s Sanders delegation remains committed to backing the progressive candidate even though he has endorsed Clinton. Sanders has not formally ended his campaign.
“It’s an absolute honor to be invited to speak to fellow Democrats next week at our national convention,” Duran said. “The stakes in this election are high, and it’s critically important that we unite around our shared principles as progressives to keep the White House in Democratic hands.”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com