Interview: Kimberly Lightford, Illinois State Senator (D)

The 2020 Democratic National Convention kicked off on Monday, August 17. However, this year it wasn’t in a packed arena with delegates and cheering crowds. Instead, speakers gave their speeches over video. The themes that emerged were clear: sober warnings of an America that reelects Donald Trump, and a country that is in need of a course correction led by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. 

The 21st is joined by Illinois State Senator Kimberly Lightford. She talked about the convention so far and the nomination of Harris and why she briefly stepped down from the state Black Caucus.

Guests:

Kimberly Lightford, Illinois Senate Majority Leader (D) and Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman, representing the 4th district

Prepared for web by Zainab Qureshi

We asked listeners this week in our Text the 21st group about Kamala Harris being chosen as Joe Biden’s running mate and what impact she might have on the campaign & American politics. We got some interesting responses, many very supportive but some less so. 

Jenn from Rochester responded with simply a sad face emoji.

John in Elgin had this to say: “While it is nice that 1 of our 4 main candidates is able to speak intelligently, I don't really understand the rationale for the choice—she ran a poor campaign, and her appeal to moderates seems to overlap with Biden's (as the far left and the right are both skeptical of her). As a BLM supporter, I am insulted that the campaign may have chosen a prosecutor to represent the movement's concerns.”

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