Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, the chief executive of New Jersey’s fourth-largest city and one of the state’s 126 delegates to the presidential nominating convention in Chicago, has said that the Democratic Party should have an open process to select nominee.
Bollwage’s comments on social media came in the wake of President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race following a poor debate performance, concerns about his mental acuity, and fears of losing in a potential rematch against former President Donald Trump.
In a social media post, Bollwage emphasized the importance of an inclusive and participatory convention.
“Dems need to have a convention that generates strength with open participation for both spots,” Bollwage wrote. “Dictation from party elders will not generate enthusiasm.”
His statement reflects a broader sentiment among some party members who advocate for a transparent and democratic selection process, rather than one dictated by party leadership.
New Jersey also has 19 super delegates, though these elected officials and party leaders are unable to cast a ballot on the first vote.
Bollwage’s position suggests a resistance among certain factions within the Democratic Party to substituting Vice President Kamala Harris—a Black woman of Indian descent with a record of breaking racial and gender barriers—for Biden as the nominee.
Prominent Democrats followed Biden’s lead by swiftly coalescing around Harris on Sunday. However, her nomination is not a foregone conclusion, and there have been suggestions that the party should hold a lightning-fast “mini primary” to consider other candidates before its convention in Chicago next month.
A recent poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 6 in 10 Democrats believe Harris would do a good job in the top slot. About 2 in 10 Democrats don’t believe she would, and another 2 in 10 say they don’t know enough to say.
The poll showed that about 4 in 10 U.S. adults have a favorable opinion of Harris, whose name is pronounced “COMM-a-la,” while about half have an unfavorable opinion.
A former prosecutor and U.S. senator from California, Harris’ own bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination imploded before a single primary vote was cast.
She later became Biden’s running mate, but she struggled to find her footing after taking office as vice president. Assigned to work on issues involving migration from Central America, she was repeatedly blamed by Republicans for problems with illegal border crossings.
As one of the few potential dissenters in the nomination process, Bollwage’s call for openness and transparency underscores the challenges the Democratic Party faces in unifying its base and generating enthusiasm among voters. The decision on how to proceed with the nomination will be critical in shaping the party’s strategy and prospects in the upcoming election.
The Democratic National Committee has yet to respond to Bollwage’s comments, but the call for an open and engaging convention process may influence the party’s approach in the coming months. With the political landscape rapidly evolving, the party’s ability to adapt and respond to internal and external pressures will be crucial in determining its success in the next presidential election.
Harris claims to have secured support from most of the delegates she needs for the nomination, so Bollwage could be swimming against the tide but it is an unusual position from a politician who has meekly towed the party line in public for most of his 42 years in public office.