By;Kayla Ross

Xavier Senior Philosophy, Politics, and the Public and English double major Ethan Nichols was selected to serve as a delegate for the 48th Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. Nearly 4,700 delegates were in attendance at the convention, taking place from last week August 19 to August 22. Although the convention was done out of formality this year as delegates voted to give Kamala Harris the official presidential candidacy bid last month, crowds still gathered from across the nation for the event. 

Nichols was selected as a delegate in January of this year. In Ohio, Democratic delegates are selected in a caucus vote in their congressional district, Nichols’ district being represented by Congressman Greg Landsman. He ran against 40 other male individuals competing to serve as delegates. Nichols planned extensively for the caucus in January in order to ensure success in being chosen. Amidst a field of worthy candidates, his hard work set him apart and he was selected.

Photo of Ethan Nichols at the DNC

Photo Courtesy of Ethan Nichols

“I teamed with my former boss and mentor, Gavi Begtrup, and we ran as a slate,” said Nichols. “We focused on bringing progressive and young energy to the Democratic Party. We ordered union printed campaign literature, made buttons at the library, and worked on bringing as many Democrats we knew to the caucus.” 

Gavi Begtrup was also selected to serve as a state delegate at the convention, along with Cincinnati Council Member Reggie Harris. Hundreds of people attended the Democratic caucus event in January, including many members of the local community and Xavier students and alumni. 

The caucus lasted about three hours, during which potential delegates campaigned to be selected and votes being counted by hand. The caucus event was originally for delegates who would re-elect President Joe Biden, but Ohio delegates at the convention were still eager to show their support for Vice President Kamala Harris. 

“The pure enthusiasm and energy that we are seeing right now is unprecedented,” said Nichols. 

Nichols noted that the convention was marked by it’s enthusiasm for the relatively new Harris/Walz ticket. This convention marks the first time that a sitting president capable of running for an additional term stepped down from the election since Lyndon B Johnson pulled out from the Democratic primaries in 1968. Coincidentally, he was also succeeded by his Vice-President.

In particular, Nichols spoke about Gen Z votes, saying “Gen-Z knows that in order to enact real change in this country, we have to get engaged. We have to volunteer. We have to vote.”