New York breakfast showcases importance of delegation at DNC’s first day

New York Democrats kicked off the Democratic National Convention in Chicago with a delegate breakfast focused on messages of unity.

Top leaders in the state, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke Monday morning to set the stage for the convention. They sought to rally support for Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party’s national and state agenda. “This is one happy, unified convention,” Schumer said while addressing delegates. “It’s amazing. Everywhere you go, people have a smile on their face because we know that we have the right ticket, the right programs, the right values.”

In their speeches, Schumer and Jeffries praised President Joe Biden’s administration for significant legislative achievements and emphasized the importance of Democratic victories in New York state House races to “defend democracy,” saying that the party can’t “get all the great things done” that they want without a Democratic House. “The road to getting back the House is through New York state,” Schumer said.

Democrats are targeting or protecting seven congressional seats in New York, including three on Long Island, three in the Hudson Valley and one in Central New York. New York became a key battleground state after Republicans flipped several seats in 2022, helping them take control of the House of Representatives. For leaders like Jeffries and Hochul, this year offers an opportunity to prove their electoral chops and respond to criticisms from two years ago.

Hochul is helping lead a new multimillion-dollar coordinated campaign with the state Democratic Party, Jeffries and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to help out in key congressional races. That’s on top of a $45 million effort from the Jeffries-aligned House Majority PAC to flip seats in New York, and significant spending by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Schumer and Jeffries on Monday called for a united front against the threats posed by former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. “We want to win because we have so many things we can do for working families in New York and America,” Jeffries said. “Today, we have to make sure that Donald Trump loses, loses by a lot, gets on the train back to Florida and never shows up in New York again.”

Hochul also offered something of a preview for her primetime speech she is set to give Monday night, saying that it is the job of New Yorkers to tell voters about the “real” Donald Trump. “Because we’ve had to deal with this man for 78 long years,” Hochul said. “So that is something that you learn more about tonight.” She will reportedly be joined by fellow New Yorkers, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Grace Meng, in speaking from the main stage. “This is when we have a chance to show the world what New York is all about, show them our values, show them who we truly are,” Hochul said.

Rep. Jerry Nadler and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar were among the other leading Democrats to speak at the breakfast. Many of New York’s 307 delegates were in attendance, although several had yet to arrive due to flight cancellations or delays out of New York.

Nadler stressed that the future of democracy was at stake in November, comparing it to the election of 1864. “We can do it under the leadership of a unified campaign led by Gov. Hochul, and if we do our job right, we will wake up in November in a jubilant (mood), and we will save this country,” Nadler said.

Assembly Member Michaelle Solages said the breakfast set a good tone for the week. “Our unity is our greatest strength as we work together to uplift the voices of all Americans and build a future that reflects our collective values,” Solages told City & State in a text message. She said Democrats need to be focused on winning both chambers of Congress and the White House, like each of the speakers said. “Together, we can advance policies that ensure every person has a chance to succeed and move our nation forward with determination and hope.”

New York City Council Member Keith Powers also said the delegation breakfast was a strong start to the week, noting a palpable enthusiasm from New York Democrats. “Even as many New Yorkers are en route to Chicago, this was a great kickoff to an amazing week ahead,” Powers told City & State in a text. “You can feel a real enthusiasm to be at the convention – and to showcase New York’s leadership, like Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer to the rest of the country.”