He was critical of the midcycle redistricting process that Georgia’s Republican-led General Assembly conducted in 2015, saying it was an attempt to keep that party in control of seats as it began losing power in the Atlanta suburbs. A federal judge later said there was “compelling evidence” that race played a part in how the new seats were drawn.

Stacey Abrams, fresh off her star turn in Tuesday night’s keynote, also addressed the group at the virtual delegation breakfast. She praised the party for putting Democrats in position to flip the state House and make other inroads in November.

“This isn’t about winning Atlanta; this isn’t about winning Augusta,” she said. “This is about winning across the state. It’s about using the infrastructure that we built together in 2012, 2014, 2016 and, yes, the infrastructure we built in 2018 that delivered more Democratic votes than any time in Georgia history.”

Transgender delegate says inclusivity is key

Chanel Haley spent two cycles helping members of the state Democratic Party select delegates to the national convention before she decided to run herself. The Morrow resident is among roughly 30 delegates from across America who identify as transgender at this year’s party convention.

The Democratic Party of Georgia has implemented rules to ensure its delegation is diverse — including disabled and LGBT activists. Haley, who works for Georgia Equality, first got involved in state politics during a 2009 House race. There were times in those initial years she didn’t feel fully seen.

“Fast-forward to now, I can honestly say the party has become a lot more inclusive,” she said.

Haley decided to become a delegate so she could be a part of the conversation as the party shaped its 2020-2024 platform. It paid off.

The Democratic National Committee accepted an amendment she proposed, which is now found on Page 36 of the final platform document. It says Democratic candidates should support measures that improve training and education for law enforcement and workers in the judicial system to ensure transgender and gender-nonconforming people are treated fairly and equitably.

John Lewis ‘Hero’ mural provides backdrop for Georgia roll call video

State Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikema Williams chose the John Lewis mural in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood as the setting for her short video awarding the state’s 117 delegate votes to Joe Biden.

The “Roll Call Across America” videos featured the unique people and qualities of 57 states and territories. This replacement of the in-person roll call where delegations cast votes for presidential nominees is already among the most popular changes under the virtual convention format.

Karen Handel leads Trump training

While Democrats were gathering remotely to prepare for the third night of their convention, Georgia Republicans held in-person training sessions to boost President Donald Trump’s campaign.

Former U.S. Rep. Karen Handel told a crowd of a few dozen Republicans in Sandy Springs that overconfident Democrats were underestimating Trump’s support in conservative pockets of Georgia.

“When I’m traveling around to voters in Georgia’s 6th District, I see energy for our president. I see energy for Republicans. I see energy for me getting re-elected to Congress,” she said.

“I hear from people all the time” — she said, lowering her voice to a whisper — “who say, ‘We’re quiet Republicans.‘”

Cory Booker shares how ‘Bloody Sunday’ factors into his family story

U.S. Rep. John Lewis’s death is still on the minds of party leaders and activists who know voting and voter access is as key to their success in November as the candidates they nominate. The Democratic National Committee Black Caucus began its meeting today with a tribute to Lewis, which included remarks by one of the producers of the documentary “John Lewis: Good Trouble.”

Erika Alexander, who is also an actress, spoke about visiting Atlanta with the filming crew to get a sense of how Lewis lived and capture stories about his civil rights and political careers. “Mr. Lewis was the perfect teacher and a patient host,” she said. “He was also an OG gentleman. It was heaven.”

There was a video montage and remarks from Georgia Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikema Williams, but one of the most powerful anecdotes from the tribute came from U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.

Booker spoke about how his parents, facing discrimination when they tried to move into a new neighborhood, received help from a group of activists and attorneys. Later, when he was in the process of writing his memoir, Booker tracked down one of those attorneys who had helped his parents.

That lawyer said he decided to get involved in civil rights issues after watching the “Bloody Sunday” march on TV, which showed Lewis and other activists being severely beaten as they tried to cross Selma, Alabama’s, Edmund Pettus Bridge in the name of voting rights. That day, the lawyer pledged to give at least an hour of pro bono services a week.

Four years later, Cary and Carolyn Booker’s case came across that attorney’s desk. He helped them fight and win and move into the home where Cory Booker would grow up. Lewis was the catalyst, Booker said.

“That’s who he has impacted — all of us — through his love, through his light,” the senator said. “He is a truly great hero who challenges us not to honor him with our words but by our commitment to make sure that we keep the struggle, keep standing up, keep getting in the way, so that we can make sure that the efforts that he put forth continue to march on.”

Ossoff touts his ’Flip the Senate’ campaign

U.S. Senate candidate Jon Ossoff participated in a “Flip the Senate” rally as part of unofficial convention programming.

The virtual event, hosted by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, also featured Democratic Senate candidates Jaime Harrison of South Carolina and Amy McGrath of Kentucky. Ossoff discussed what he says are solid chances for Democrats to win in Georgia, saying members of the party running statewide have performed better each cycle since 2014.

“We’re on the right side of history; we’re on the right side of the issues,” he said.

Looking ahead: John Lewis tribute will figure into convention’s final day

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ speech during the 9 p.m. hour will come as part of the convention’s tribute to U.S. Rep. John Lewis. Natasha Taylor, a MARTA bus driver, is expected to be featured in one of the panel discussions with Joe Biden. Earlier in the day, Bernice King, the youngest child of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., will speak at an event about honoring her father’s dream of economic equality, and Stacey Abrams will host a voting rights rally. Atlanta-based music mogul Jermaine Dupri will help host the 8 p.m. pre-show on Twitch. Biden’s acceptance speech will close out the night. Other speakers include former presidential candidates Pete Buttigieg, Corey Booker, Michael Bloomberg and Andrew Yang.