Voters in Contra Costa County gathered to see Vice President Kamala Harris accepts the Democratic Party nomination.
Barbara and Rick Palmieri said they watched almost every second of the evening at the Democratic National Convention and were deeply moved.
“Last night there were all the reasons why we are not only proud to be Americans, but proud to stand with people who stand up for the things that America stands for,” said Barbara Palmieri.
Barbara and Rick Pamelieri said they have been registered Republicans for most of their lives.
But in recent years, they feel that the party they once believed in has strayed.
“You know, just watching Trump’s campaign and who he is and what he stands for, it’s like trying to be a dictator. It’s just really hard to even hear his voice,” said Rick Palmieri.
Rick and Barbara Palmieri said they now support Kamala Harris and the Democrats.
And they’re not alone. KPIX also spoke with Ninan Fox, who said she too was a Republican but then became an independent.
Fox said she’s also been impressed with the DNC so far.
“I’m very happy that Steve Kerr was selected to speak. He’s just a great human being, and he’s accomplished a lot and I think he’s very respected. So I was excited to see him speak and I also thought Hillary Clinton was a rock star,” said Ninan Fox.
But not everyone KPIX spoke to was enthusiastic about the election.
Desiree Walton said she is not a fan of either candidate.
“I’m such a moderate that I have to choose. The last four times I’ve been able to vote, I’ve had to choose between the lesser of two evils, and that sucks,” said Desiree Walton.
Desiree said the only candidate she was ever excited about was Bernie Sanders, but she is still engaged and curious about how the Trump-Harris debate will go.
Barbara and Rick Palmieri said they are curious about how the election will go.
They believe that this will have consequences for the way our country will function in the future.
“There are things that I agree with the Democratic Party on, and there are things that I disagree with. But right now, simplifying what it means to be an American and what it means to stand for the platform that America was built on, which is the fact that as an American I have rights and I also have the privilege of voting and having a say in this democracy. And that is in jeopardy,” Barbara Palmieri said.
