On June 7, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., secured the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party after his main rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-NY, suspended her campaign and endorsed him. This came about during the Texas Democratic Convention, which took place June 5-7.
Prospects of Clinton's campaign came to an end when Obama gathered the 2,118 pledged delegates necessary to secure the nomination through his victory in the Montana primary.
Julie Cruz, junior political science major, attended the Democratic Convention in Austin to cast her vote as a delegate.
Cruz said the process was very hectic and took place in a chaotic setting. She also said that organizers were not completely effective in their direction.
The current Democratic primary process in Texas has been marred by criticism because of its complex, two-part process that awards de-legates based on both popular vote and caucus results.
The first phase of the Texas primary granted preference to Sen. Clinton who spoke to El Paso supporters at the Don Haskins Center in March. Sen. Clinton obtained 50.9 percent of the popular vote and the support of 65 delegates - only four more than Sen. Obama.
The convention, however, tilted state support toward Sen. Obama. Thirty-eight delegates pledged their support for him, securing a close victory with 99 delegates over the 94 gathered by Sen. Clinton.
"There was a lot of tension," Cruz said. "There are people from the side of Hillary who are still not ready to become active for Obama."
Many influential members of the Democratic Party decided to switch their support toward Obama, including El Paso's own two super delegates-U.S. Congressman Silvestre Reyes and Norma Fisher Flores, Democratic National Committee member.
The final nominee decision of the Democratic Party will be made during the National Democratic Convention, being held Aug. 25 - 28 in Denver, Colo.
Kathleen Staudt, professor of political science and director of the Center for Civic Engagement, said she was elated about the prospects for the coming election.
"Democrats will unite. The delegates are lining up behind the nominee," Staudt said. "Texas is a red state that could soon be turning purple, if not blue."
Staudt said she believed both of the potential nominees, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, offer reasons to sustain public enthusiasm in the race to the November election.
Meanwhile, members of the UTEP community prepare to participate in what has been called a historic election.
The Center for Civic Engagement, along with the political science and the anthropology and sociology departments, are preparing to help students participate.
During the fall semester, the course "Help America Vote," taught jointly by Tony Payan from political science and Guillermina Nunez-Mchiri from anthropology, will offer UTEP students the opportunity to experience democracy at work.
Jason Heavilin, senior finance major and president of the University Democrats, said his organization plans to engage students in the election through fundraising, voting registration and other events to create awareness about the differences between Obama and McCain.
Heavilin said the University Democrats worked for both the Obama and Clinton campaigns this primary season, but now they are all prepared to support Obama.
"We are Democrats-that's what we should do," Heavilin said. "I believe that there is a very, very good chance that we will win the White House in November."
Isaac Perez may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.
Be the first to comment on this article!