DALLAS — It is down to the wire for Democrats.
“You cannot meet somebody with nobody,” said Cal Jillson, SMU Political Science Professor.
Jillson said with less than a month to go for the Democratic National Convention, endorsements are racking up for Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I doubt that anyone else will step forward,” said Jillson.
What if someone did? What is the process?
“They have to get 300 signatures before their name can be introduced at all. And then they've got to get a majority to win the nomination,” said Jillson.
That is signatures from party delegates. They confirm the party nominee through a majority vote. Jillson said the question is whether or not those members want to see a contest between Harris and another Democrat.
“The Democratic Party has been so unstable over the past month, that they have to find solid ground,” said Jillson.
He said that is why delegates are meeting all across the country. That includes Texas with its 273 delegates. Texas has the third-most delegates in the country.
So, who are they?
“The role of a delegate is major, especially in this election because it’s going to be history making,” said Kardal Coleman, Dallas County Democratic Party Chair.
He is one of 41 delegates from Dallas County. This is the largest delegation the county has ever sent to the DNC.
“This has kind of reinvigorated our party a bit. The office is swarmed with volunteers today. The phones have not stopped ringing,” said Coleman.
He said Dallas County and all Texas delegates plan to meet Monday evening to discuss where they go from here.
“Number one is to understand the process and then two, see if we can coalesce behind anyone tonight,” said Coleman. “The theme for our party right now is United We Stand. This next step in our process, or the passing of the torch, if you will, has really united us -- a lot of us -- to coalesce behind a centralized message and centralized candidate.”
So far, most have been standing with Harris.
“She's on the five-yard lines. She's got a first down. All you got to do is drive it over those next five yards,” said Jillson.
“The sooner that we can coalesce behind a candidate, a nominee, the sooner we can get back on the campaign trail and beat Donald Trump,” said Coleman.
The Democratic National Convention begins August 19 in Chicago.
