What to know about Jason Rae, the Wisconsinite who called the DNC roll of delegates
The roll call at the Democratic National Convention offered each state and territory a moment in the spotlight Tuesday night at the United Center in Chicago.
One-by-one, the delegations announced their vote for Kamala Harris in a short speech, rich with the character of their home.
Lil Jon introduced the delegation from his home state Georgia. Spike Lee stood beside New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. Wisconsinites wore cheeseheads.
Steering the process was Wisconsin's own Jason Rae, secretary of the Democratic National Committee, who called the roll at the Democratic National Convention for the second time.
Rae stood at the podium and asked each delegation, "How do you cast your vote?"
Four years ago, Rae called the vote in a virtual convention during peak pandemic months, which was intended to be held in-person in Milwaukee.
Since 1944, only four other people have served as DNC secretary, which is a volunteer role. Rae stepped into the position in 2017 and was renominated in 2021 with the support of President Joe Biden.
Rae has been an energetic Democrat since his youth, when he biked to county party meetings in rural Barron County, Wisconsin, before he could drive. He was the youngest person elected to the Democratic National Committee in 2004, when he was 17. From 2007 to 2017, he led the DNC youth council.
Today, in between convention seasons, he serves as president and CEO of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, an award-winning organization that Rae founded and has more than 600 business members. He also is a partner at Nation Consulting, a Milwaukee-based public affairs firm.
He lives in Glendale with his husband, Phillip.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Jason Rae, the Wisconsinite who called the DNC roll