Alachua County was well-represented in Denver on Wednesday night as Barack Obama was named the presidential nominee at the Democratic National Convention.
Most county representatives came as delegates to the convention, which ends today.
Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan said this is the first time she's attended the convention as a Florida delegate, though she went to the 2004 convention as an honored guest.
She said Tuesday that one of the most inspiring moments of the convention so far was Michelle Obama's speech.
"I was completely galvanized by Michelle Obama," Hanrahan said. "She was so cool under pressure and just such a brilliant woman."
Michael Heaney, an assistant professor of political science at UF, is in Denver as an observer and researcher.
Heaney said he is conducting surveys to determine differences between the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.
Results in the survey comparing delegates for Hillary Clinton and delegates for Obama have shown a rift in the Democratic Party despite calls for party unity, he said.
Aside from meeting former Sen. George McGovern, Heaney said the most exciting part of the convention was people cooperating with his study.
Other delegates included Lizzie Jenkins, president of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida, Evelyn Foxx, vice chairwoman of the Alachua County Democratic Party, and Alachua County Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut.
Staci Fox, CEO of Planned Parenthood of North Central Florida, is attending as a Clinton delegate for District 6. She is not representing Planned Parenthood.
Fox said she has attended caucuses, meetings with interest groups and several speeches.
"The experience is indescribable," she said. "It's almost overwhelming."
She said she hopes that by watching the convention at home, people will make an informed choice when they vote this November.
"We're on the brink of change and moving into an amazing part of the future for our country," she said.
