DNC’s second night to feature Obamas, swing state Democrats

Editor’s note: Beginning at noon CT, the video player above will feature live views and interviews from the DNC, leading into tonight’s prime-time coverage.

(NEXSTAR) – After focusing on the family life and accomplishments of President Joe Biden as well as the historic campaign of Hillary Clinton on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, Democrats will again send out a roster of familiar faces in support of the Kamala Harris presidential campaign on Tuesday.

The Harris campaign said it will spotlight “trusted messengers” from key battleground states over the convention’s three remaining days. They include Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada; Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Gary Peters and Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan; Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania; and Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. From Arizona, Sen. Mark Kelly will speak along with John Giles, the Republican mayor of Mesa.

Headlining Tuesday night will be former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.

The pivot toward the presidential campaign’s final 76 days follows an opening night that was designed to give a graceful exit to the incumbent president, who was greeted with a hero’s welcome for stepping aside for Harris.

Biden’s appearance will likely be remembered for the emotional introduction by his daughter Ashley, and his fiery defense of his accomplishments as he echoed his 2020 warning about the risks to democracy if former president Donald Trump wins a second term. Biden was frequently interrupted with chants of “Thank you, Joe.”

With Biden’s public endorsement secured, the convention shifts to targeting the handful of key swing states Harris and running mate Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota will need in November to retain the White House for Democrats.

Another swing state leader expected to speak in a key time slot is Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina — a state that voted for Trump in 2020 but is now a major pickup opportunity for Harris.

Offering the prime spots to local elected leaders — many of whom poll better than the top of the ticket in their home states — is a deliberate move to reach undecided voters and maximize Harris’ pathways to 270 electoral votes, her campaign said.

Harris also announced Tuesday an array of prominent Republicans set to speak at the convention, including former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, former Georgia Lieutenant Gov. Geoff Duncan and former Trump White House staffers Olivia Troye and Stephanie Grisham. All are now critics of Trump.

Organizers are planning an earlier start to the second day of the Democratic National Convention in hopes avoiding scheduling that ran hours late and into the wee hours of the night on day one.

DNC director Alex Hornbrook said Tuesday morning that “we made some real-time adjustments last night” and “we’re working with our speakers and making some other adjustments this evening” including starting at 5.30 p.m. local time in Chicago “to make sure that we stay on track.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.