Lakewood Politicians Going To DNC Convention As Delegates

LAKEWOOD, OH — Two Lakewood politicians will be attending the 2020 Democratic National Convention as delegates for Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders.

State Senator Nickie Antonio will be a delegate for Biden at the convention, while Lakewood City Councilperson Tristan Rader will be a delegate for Sanders. It's currently unclear what form the convention will take due to the threat of the new coronavirus. If an in-person convention moves forward, it will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Aug. 17 to Aug. 20.

"I am proud to be an official delegate for the 2020 DNC National Convention as a delegate for Joe Biden. Now more than ever our country needs positive, constructive national leadership," Antonio told Patch.

Biden officially clinched the Democratic Party's nomination for president last week. He surged into the lead after Super Tuesday, eventually prompting Sanders to halt his campaign.

"Bernie’s 2016 campaign inspired me and so many others to seek elected office. It’s an honor to now be a Pledge Level Elected Official (PLEO) Delegate chosen by Senator Sanders to represent him at the 2020 DNC. Regardless of who you supported in the primary, what matters now is defeating Trump and pushing for a progressive agenda that includes universal healthcare and a carbon free energy system," Rader said.