Memphis Sen. Akbari speaks at 2020 DNC
One of Memphis’ own state lawmakers was featured Tuesday night during the Democratic National Convention, addressing viewers as one of party’s “rising stars.”
Sen. Raumesh Akbari made remarks along with 16 other state legislators, congressmen and various other elected officials who shared why they believed the nation needs Joe Biden as president.
The group largely focused on issues related to the working class, also highlighting how President Donald Trump showed “no leadership” in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like much of this year’s virtual convention, the remarks were pre-recorded.
Four years ago, Akbari, 36, spoke on stage at the DNC.
This time, Akbari’s comments were primarily limited to women’s issues and thanking healthcare workers.
“Nurses in Memphis who came out of retirement to treat patients during this pandemic, you built this country,” Akbari said.
Later, she pointed to Biden’s efforts in the U.S. Senate surrounding the Violence Against Women Act and his plans to restore Planned Parenthood funding, codify Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court opinion legalizing abortion, and reduce maternal mortality for women of color.
“Joe Biden has been fighting for women his entire career,” she said.
Akbari has been a consistent supporter of Biden since long before he became the party’s presumptive presidential nominee, endorsing him in late 2019 and earlier this year campaigning for the former vice president in Iowa.
Prior to being elected to the state Senate in 2018, Akbari served in the Tennessee House. She was first elected to the statehouse in 2013 at age 29.
Currently, Akbari is chair of the fivemember Senate Democratic Caucus and previously served as chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators.
Other rising stars featured in the address included 2018 Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, U.S. Reps. Conor Lamb and Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, and U.S. Rep. Colin Allred of Texas.
Typically, the DNC features a single rising star to give a keynote address, which in past years has included former President Barack Obama and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary and presidential candidate Julián Castro.
The party took a different approach this year in highlighting a number of Democratic state officials.