Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 5:05AM |  17°
MENU
Advertisement
Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Austin Davis seen outside the PA Delegation breakfast at the Palmer House Hilton on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the second day of the Democratic National Convention.
2
MORE

Lt. Gov. Davis' speech reinforces Pa.'s central role at Democratic convention

Arturo Fernandez/Post-Gazette

Lt. Gov. Davis' speech reinforces Pa.'s central role at Democratic convention

Keystone State voters may determine the next president of the United States

CHICAGO — As befits the most populous battleground state, Pennsylvania’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention watched from the front of the United Center here as Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, son of a bus driver, touted how quickly Pennsylvania officials got the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh and Interstate 95 in Philadelphia repaired — contrasting those accomplishments with former President Donald Trump’s constant promise of “infrastructure weeks” that never developed.

Mr. Davis cited those projects among the accomplishments of President Joe Biden, who signed a bipartisan infrastructure law early in his administration’s tenure, and Vice President Kamala Harris, who will keep on building, he said.

“Right now, we’re repairing roads and bridges across Pennsylvania, including in Pittsburgh, the city of bridges, and Vice President Harris is looking forward,” he said. “She’s committed to keeping our infrastructure safe and modern.”

Advertisement

Mr. Davis’ address was one of several Pennsylvania-related actions on the first day of the convention. Mr. Biden’s daughter, Ashley, mentioned that she was a Philadelphia social worker. Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz made Monday’s Pennsylvania delegation breakfast one of his first stops. Gov, Josh Shapiro addressed two other delegations besides his own and spoke at a Democratic National Committee Labor Council meeting.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris is seen on a video monitor after the roll call during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.
Robert Farley, D'Angelo Gore, Lori Robertson and Eugene Kiely
Fact-checking Night 2 of the Democratic National Convention

Only two state delegations have front-and-center seating at the convention: Pennsylvania and Kamala Harris’ home state of California.

“Pennsylvania is the Keystone State, and we are the key to a Democratic victory. I believe that’s why we were seated where we were,” said delegate Jill Zipin, chair of the Democratic Jewish Outreach Pennsylvania political action committee. “It’s exciting. It’s fun. It’s a story I’ll be able to tell my grandchildren.”

Pennsylvania was part of the “Blue Wall” of Midwestern states that traditionally voted for Democratic candidates in presidential elections until Trump carried the state in 2016 and won the presidency. Mr. Biden flipped Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin back to the Democratic column four years ago.

Advertisement

Mr. Shapiro called Pennsylvania “the ultimate swing state.”

While the race to win all three of those states remains tight, Ms. Harris has risen in the polls since Mr. Biden ended his campaign last month, energizing Democrats in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. 

“I don’t think the party is overconfident, but I do think many in the party are feeling hopeful that victory is possible — not that victory is certain, not that the race is over, but we have a fighting chance,” said J.J. Balaban, a Philadelphia-based Democratic strategist and ad maker.

Mr. Davis’ speech also mentioned the federal effort to replace lead pipes and improve water quality. Ms. Harris visited Pittsburgh in February to announce billions of dollars in spending for clean water, including replacing lead-lined pipes. Funding for that work also came from the infrastructure law.

Demonstrators clash with police near the Israeli Consulate during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.
Sophia Tareen, Joey Cappelletti And Lea Skene
Protesters confront police outside Israeli consulate on 2nd night of Democratic convention

“When I think about the future, I think about my daughter Harper and all of America’s children. Investing in them means investing in our infrastructure,” Mr. Davis said. “It means replacing millions of lead pipes. It means providing clean air, clean water, safe roads and bridges, not just for us but for generations to come.”

The successful effort to reopen I-95 in 12 days rather than months has contributed to Mr. Shapiro’s high approval ratings, and he talked about that project in all of his speeches Monday.

He called it GSD — getting stuff done — although he also often uses a four-letter word instead of “stuff.”

“It sums up what people want — Democrats, Republicans, independents,” he told reporters after his speech to Florida Democrats. “They want their elected leaders to put points on the board every day, meaningful change, to make their lives a little bit better in all of of their communities: rural, urban and suburban. It really has become the mantra of our work.”

The Fern Hollow Bridge was rebuilt in 11 months after collapsing in January 2022, ironically while Mr. Biden was traveling to Pittsburgh to highlight the infrastructure law.

First Published: August 20, 2024, 7:02 p.m.
Updated: August 21, 2024, 1:22 p.m.

RELATED
Pennsylvania state Rep. Gina H. Curry speaks after the delegation breakfast on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, the second day of the Democratic National Convention.
Jonathan D. Salant
Can Kamala Harris energize the Black voters she needs to win Pennsylvania?
Pittsburgh’s Billy Porter performs during a luncheon sponsored by Nancy Pelosi held at Navy Pier on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the second day of the Democratic National Convention.
Benjamin Kail
‘Never give up hope’: Singer, actor and Pittsburgh native Billy Porter rocks luncheon hosted by Pelosi
FILE Ñ President Barack Obama walks with California Attorney General Kamala Harris as he arrives in San Francisco, Feb. 17, 2011. A few years earlier, Harris had given Obama an early endorsement for president as he ran against Hillary Clinton. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Katie Rogers
Behind the Obama-Harris friendship: A key endorsement and a kindred spirit
TOPSHOT - Former US President Barack Obama arrives onstage after his wife and former First Lady Michelle Obama introduced him on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 20, 2024. Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept the party's nomination for president at the DNC which runs from August 19-22 in Chicago. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Steve Peoples, Jonathan J. Cooper And Zeke Miller
Obamas close DNC's second night with a rousing Harris endorsement and pointed warnings about Trump
President Joe Biden acknowledges the crowd after finish his speech on Monday, aug. 19, 2024, the first day of the Democratic National Convention.
Jonathan D. Salant
President Biden bids farewell to decades of public service during opening-night convention speech
Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks to the Pennsylvania delegation during breakfast on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago on the first day of the Democratic National Convention.
Jonathan D. Salant
Shapiro is rallying delegates for a ticket he might have been a part of
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., says he is skilling the Democratic convention this year.
Jonathan D. Salant
Sen. John Fetterman says he's skipping Democratic convention in Chicago
Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz thanks the crowd after he spoke at the PA Delegation Breakfast at the Palmer House Hilton in Downtown Chicago on Monday, August 19, 2024.
Benjamin Kail
Democratic VP nominee Walz fires up Pa. DNC delegates as Shapiro accuses Trump of misleading voters
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrive at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.
Jonathan D. Salant
Kamala Harris, Democrats ride momentum into national convention in Chicago
Marchers chanting “free Palestine!” on the eve of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Jonathan D. Salant
Chicago protest plans during Democratic National Convention draw fears of a repeat of 1968
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, greets customers at Primanti Bros. restaurant during a campaign stop, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
Jonathan D. Salant, Steve Bohnel and Adam Babetski
Kamala Harris issues a pre-convention call for unity during Western Pa. bus tour
Vice President Kamala Harris boards Air Force Two as she departs Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield, Mass., Saturday, July 27, 2024. Harris is returning to Washington after participating in a political event in Pittsfield, Mass.
Steve Bohnel and Adam Babetski
5 ‘vulnerabilities’ for Kamala Harris and how they might impact the vote in Pennsylvania
SHOW COMMENTS (26)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Sidequest on 44th in Lawrenceville on Dec. 27, 2024.
1
a&e
Canceled show finds ex-Misfits singer Michale Graves lashing out about being purged from Pittsburgh
The Federal Bureau of Investigation seal outside the headquarters in Washington, D.C.
2
opinion
Vanni Cappelli: The FBI purge could lead to another 9/11
Head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith watch a receivers and defensive backs drill at Steelers Minicamp at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex Thursday, June 13, 2024.
3
sports
Gerry Dulac: Next season’s major decisions loom this week for Mike Tomlin, Steelers staff
A small public audience listened as Pittsburgh Public Schools released final recommendations for its facilities utilization plan during the education committee meeting at the PPS Administration Building in Oakland on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024.
4
news
Pittsburgh Public Schools considering reinstating virtual testimony following months of pushback
A protester waves a sign opposing Trump administration policies during a protest at the intersection of Murray and Forbes Avenues in Squirrel Hill Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.
5
news
Presidents Day protest in Pittsburgh takes aim at Trump policies
Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Austin Davis seen outside the PA Delegation breakfast at the Palmer House Hilton on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the second day of the Democratic National Convention.  (Arturo Fernandez/Post-Gazette)
Pennsylvania delegates celebrate President Joe Biden while he speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.  (Arturo Fernandez/Post-Gazette)
Arturo Fernandez/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST news
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story