Senator Barbara Mikulski capped her political career last night by nominating the first woman to be the presidential nominee of a major party.
Declaring that Hillary Clinton wants to break down barriers the Maryland Democrat placed the former Secretary of State’s name into nomination at the Democratic National Convention.
The longtime senator whose congressional career stretches back to 1976 was chair for Clinton’s first run for the presidency in 2008 against then Senator Barak Obama.
The Maryland Democrat is known on Capitol Hill for bringing women Senators and Representatives of both parties together to discuss common issues.
Mikulski, who is retiring this year, the longest serving woman in congressional history.
Delaware
When it was Delaware’s turn last night at the Democratic National Convention Representative John Carney who is running for governor took to the microphone to announce that their votes were split.
23 for Hillary Clinton and 9 for Bernie Sanders.
In announcing the result during the rollcall vote the Delaware Democrat also gave a nod to Vice President Joe Biden who served for many years as the First State’s Senator.
The Biden family also lost their son Beau who as state Attorney General was seen as rising political star in the state.
He died of brain cancer earlier this year increasing the odds that his father would not seek the White House.
Carney also gave a shout out to Sussex County…and – what he described as – “its beautiful beaches”.
Afterward the Delaware Democrat told the Wilmington News Journal that he was a bit nervous when he announced the vote of the 32 member delegation.
Martin O'Malley Speaks Tonight
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is scheduled to speak at the Democratic National Convention.
O'Malley, who ended his bid for the party's presidential nomination in February, is scheduled to speak Wednesday evening.
O'Malley dropped out of the race midway through vote-counting in the Iowa caucuses, after his campaign failed to gain traction against Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
The former governor endorsed Clinton last month.
In an announcement of his scheduled convention speech, O'Malley said he will make clear that Clinton is not only one of the most experienced candidates in the party's history, but also one of the toughest.
He says Clinton will fight for the marginalized and honorably represent the country in the world.
Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine called Terry McAuliffe to say thanks soon after Kaine accepted Hillary Clinton's offer to be her running mate.
Kaine had good reason to be grateful: it's likely that no one lobbied as hard for Kaine to get the job as the colorful former fundraiser and Clinton pal turned Virginia governor.
McAuliffe could find himself with two direct lines to the White House should the Clinton-Kaine ticket win on Election Day, with one friend at the top of the ticket and another as her running mate.
He's rumored to be interested in a potential Cabinet post, perhaps Commerce secretary, should Clinton make a return to the White House.
Kaine's Hispanic Appeal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine is fluent in Spanish, and moved easily between languages when he spoke at his first campaign event with his Democratic running mate Hillary Clinton.
Some Latinos say there's a practical value to Kaine's skills because they allow the vice presidential candidate to communicate more directly with the nation's immigrant communities. But they add the days are gone when that alone is enough to win over Hispanic voters.
Latinos make up about 17 percent of the nation's population, and roughly half - 27.3 million - are eligible to vote in 2016. The Pew Hispanic Center says nearly 70 percent of Latinos say they speak only English at home or indicate they speak English "very well."
Kaine's Wife Quits State Education Post
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Tim Kaine's wife has resigned as Virginia's Secretary of Education.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe's office announced Tuesday that Anne Holton stepped down from the cabinet-level post because her husband had been picked to be Hillary Clinton's running mate.
McAuliffe said Holton's resignation was effective Monday.
Holton is the daughter of former Gov. Linwood Holton and is a longtime child advocate and former Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge.
Prior to joining the McAuliffe administration, Holton directed a Virginia Community College System initiative that helps young people who are aging out of foster care continue their education.
She and Kaine met at Harvard Law School and have three children.
McAuliffe announced Holton's replacement is Dietra Trent, a former deputy secretary of education.
