TYLER, Texas — Security preparations are being finalized with the Democratic National Convention (DNC) less than a week away. Tyler resident Jeff Enoch is one of five security officers selected to work the convention in Chicago. Currently, he is a security supervisor at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
"Anyone that makes entrance through the stadium through (club and suite) access points will be vetted by me and my team," Enoch said.
He's spent three seasons working at AT&T Stadium. It's his security background that's taking him to the DNC.
"We’ll be leaving this upcoming Friday headed up to Chicago," Enoch said.
It's in Chicago where East Texas delegates, like Nancy Nichols will be casting the in-person votes.
"Kamala Harris is our Democratic nominee for President of the United States, and she has picked a great running mate," Nichols said.
On Wednesday evening, a little over a dozen Smith County Democrats gathered in downtown Tyler to celebrate the three East Texas delegates headed to Chicago.
Some wore pearls, while others showed up with signs reading, 'Cat Ladies for Kamala,' putting a spin on Republican Vice President candidate J.D. Vance's comment on Fox News made on July 29.
"We are effectively run in this country … by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made, and so they wanna make the rest of the country miserable, too,” Vance said.
Nichols said the Democratic Party has seen momentum pick up since President Joe Biden left the race, leaving Harris as the nominee.
"Our young people started coming out in droves getting involved," Nichols said.
As for Enoch, he’s excited to head to the Windy City to serve as a security officer with many others.
"I’m looking forward to working with them. I know they have the same outlook and security and being protectors just like myself," Enoch said.
The national convention for the Democrats is scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 19 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. It will run for three days, ending on Aug. 22.