These obscure democrats could soon become kingmakers

They are lawyers and school board members, labor activists and religious leaders, lifelong Democrats and party newcomers. Some of them have just turned 18, others are approaching 80.

These are the people who make up the 3,939 delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Some are elected, and some are selected — each state party has its own rules — for what is normally a ceremonial task: nominating their candidate for president.

But in a (still unlikely) scenario where President Biden steps down as nominee, they will suddenly be tasked with choosing a new nominee.

Most of these delegates had not planned to become kingmakers in the Democratic Party, but rather to join a pro-Biden slate promising support for the president. But if Mr. Biden drops out, they would be catapulted from the anonymity of extras at a quadrennial television extravaganza into a group with the fate of the party — and, in the eyes of many Democrats, the future of the country — on their shoulders.

Many are unwilling to even consider that as an option, to remain steadfastly loyal to the president as he reaffirms his commitment to staying in the race. And some feel overwhelmed by the possibility.

Phil Swanhorst, chairman of the Eau Claire County Democrats in Wisconsin and a first-time delegate, said that “with all the turmoil going on” he didn’t want to talk about what he would do as an at-large delegate if he were released from his pledged status. Instead, he said he would follow the guidance of Ben Wikler, the state party chairman.

Ronald Martin, a civics teacher and member of the National Education Association, a teachers’ union, said he fully supported the president and dismissed Mr. Biden’s debate performance as a “bad night” — an echo of the president’s words — and not representative of anything else. But forced to make a decision in the event that Mr. Biden withdraws, Mr. Martin said he would step back and assess the entire field rather than immediately vote for an alternative.

“I would respect President Biden’s decision, whatever he says, but again, I would sit down and listen to everything,” Mr. Martin said, adding that defeating former President Donald J. Trump remains the goal.

In a speech in Wisconsin on Friday and in an ABC News interview that aired later in the day, Biden made clear that he had no intention of withdrawing. “I’m staying in this race,” Biden told the Wisconsin crowd to cheers. “I’m not going to let one 90-minute debate undo three and a half years of work.”

Nearly all delegates — about 99 percent — are committed to Mr. Biden, reflecting the popular mood in their state primaries. They are not free to support another candidate of their choice unless Mr. Biden withdraws. Although there is a so-called conscience clause in the rules, allowing delegates to break with their delegations, it is rarely, if ever, exercised.

“This is not 2016, and it’s not 2008, when you had a split delegation,” said Donna Brazile, a former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee. “This is a Biden convention.”

There are also about 700 “automatic delegates” — formerly and commonly known as superdelegates — who are chosen based on their role in the party. Governors, senators, members of Congress, state party leaders and other high-ranking members of the party make up this contingent, although they do not vote in the first round of nominations.

The Democratic National Party has not yet released the final list of delegates, but an analysis of the delegate lists released by the state parties shows that the list is diverse, as required by party rules.

Take the Wisconsin delegation, for example: the 95 delegates include more than 20 local government officials, 11 current and former teachers, nine union leaders, six students and a former Milwaukee Bucks executive.

Trevor Jung, one of those local government officials — he’s the transit director for Racine, Wis. — said he’s been involved in politics since he was 12, when his single father dropped him off at the local Democratic headquarters. Now a first-time delegate in 2020, Mr. Jung can’t imagine a ticket without Mr. Biden at the top and isn’t sure what he would do in an open convention.

“I haven’t thought about it much, and part of that is because I think President Biden is going to be our nominee,” he said. “President Biden had a bad night, and Donald Trump had a bad presidency.”

Amaad Rivera-Wagner, chief of staff to the mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Biden’s second-term representative, recalled receiving death threats in 2020 because people thought he had rigged the election.

“Yes, there is unrest, but the convention feels clear to me,” Mr. Rivera-Wagner said, adding that Mr. Biden would have the best chance against Mr. Trump. While he does not believe Mr. Biden will resign, he said he would “examine my conscience but follow the Democrats’ suggestion” in that unlikely event.

Most state delegations have many representatives who have served at previous conventions. Judy Mount, who said she was the “first African-American in the state of Florida — since Ponce de Leon came here — to be first vice chair” of the state Democratic Party, has served at every convention since Barack Obama’s first in 2008.

She said she remains a staunch supporter of Biden and will follow his advice if he withdraws.

“Only if he makes that announcement,” said Ms. Mount, 64. “Because I have the utmost respect for that young man.”

L. Jeannette Mobley, a representative from Washington, D.C., who said she had also been a delegate for Mr. Obama in 2008, was similarly loyal to Mr. Biden, saying he had done more “in his first three years than most presidents” and dismissing his debate performance.

If Biden withdraws, she will also follow his recommendation, she said.

“If he decides to withdraw, I’m sure he would probably come forward with a recommendation,” Ms. Mobley said, adding of Vice President Kamala Harris: “Kamala would probably be the best person to run. She’s very capable. Don’t get me wrong. Although I do have some concerns about whether America is ready for a woman president.”

Ms. Mobley mused that if Ms. Harris “picked one of the other people, like Newsom or Shapiro, we still have a winning ticket,” referring to Gavin Newson, the governor of California, and Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania.

Dave Jacobson, a Florida representative a year younger than Mr. Biden, called Thursday’s debate “devastating” but was encouraged by the president’s more energetic rally the next day and remains steadfast in his support. Like Ms. Mobley, Mr. Jacobson said that if he were forced to vote for someone else because of Mr. Biden’s withdrawal, “the vice president would be the logical choice.”

“It would be a shame if something were to happen that would cause Joe to withdraw and Kamala not to be our nominee,” Mr. Jacobson said. “If that doesn’t happen, the Democratic Party is going to have a pretty devastating election on November 5th.”

June Kim, Eli Murray, Andrew Park, Helmuth Rosales, Elena Shao And Amy Schoenfeld-Walker contributed to the reporting. Alain Delaquérière contributed to research.