DNC 2016: Delegates kick off convention with Monday breakfast

The Ohio delegation met for breakfast at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Philadelphia Airport.

“We have to unify as a party,” said David Pepper, chair of the Ohio Democratic Party.

Scheduled to speak at the breakfast were: State Rep. David Leland; Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, Democratic National Convention Permanent Chair; U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty; and U.S. Rep. John Lewis.

Fudge, who abruptly was named permanent chair of the convention Sunday following the explosive release of e-mails by Democratic National Committee staffers, said "what is at stake" in the election between Clinton and Trump "is the soul of the nation."

"People all across the world are afraid of what we're doing here in the United States," Fudge said. "They are afraid we that are ready to hand this nation to a person who basically who has no more business in running the country than my eight-year old niece."

https://twitter.com/Ohio_Politics/status/757552624715563008

Mellissa Landrum, a Bernie Sanders delegate from Columbus, said she wants to see a “little bit more of a non-bias” from Fudge.

“I want to know you’re there for everybody, not just the establishment, the machine,” Fudge said.

We have a team of reporters on the ground in Philadelphia that will provide you in-depth coverage of this week’s Democratic National Convention.

https://twitter.com/LynnHulseyDDN/status/757544213496139776

For updates and more news click here to download our free apps.