Delegates mark milestones during Democratic convention roll call

PHILADELPHIA — Oklahoma delegates at the Democratic National Convention marked historic milestones here Tuesday as they helped make Hillary Clinton the first female presidential nominee of a major political party.

Four different state delegates spoke during the roll call: longtime Democratic activists Isabel Baker, of Tahlequah, and Cedric Johnson, of Muskogee; Tiffany Phillips, Tulsa, political director for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ successful presidential campaign in Oklahoma; and Mark Hammons, Oklahoma City, chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

The delegation cast 22 votes for Sanders and 20 votes for Clinton, based mostly on Sanders’ victory in the March 1 presidential primary. Three of the four superdelegates sided with Clinton, while one voted for Sanders.

Hammons said, “The great state of Oklahoma is proud to be here at the Democratic convention. I’m proud to recognize the matriarch of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma.”

Baker said, “Greetings from this great state of Oklahoma, (home of) 38 tribal nations.

“I was born in 1929, only nine years after women were granted the right to vote. I never thought that I would live to see this day. So tonight I’m deeply honored to help cast our state’s votes for the first woman president of the United States, Hillary Clinton.”

Johnson said, “Eight years ago, I was glued to the television in my home in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the first African-American accepted the nomination for the presidency of the United States. I watched that moment on TV and I knew that our world had changed forever and for the better.

“Tonight, eight years later, we are taking a step forward for equality. The late (civil rights leaders) Jake Simmons, Clara Luper and the recently departed Melvin Porter would be equally as proud tonight. May God continue to bless the United States of America.”

Phillips said, “I’m proud to announce that Oklahoma, where our state motto is Labor Omnia Vincit (labor conquers all things) casts 22 votes for Senator Bernie Sanders.”

Hammons said, “And Oklahoma casts 20 votes for the next president of the United States, Secretary Hillary Clinton.”

New York delegates cheer Tuesday as they hold up signs during the second-day session of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

[PHOTO BY CHRIS CASTEEL, THE OKLAHOMAN] Four members of the Oklahoma delegation helped give the state vote count Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia: from left, Isabel Baker, Mark Hammons, Tiffany Phillips and Cedric Johnson.