Sharp-eyed viewers saw a lot of familiar faces during television coverage of the Democratic National Convention, held over four nights last week in Chicago — especially during the roll call on the second night of the event, when our own Rep. June Speakman and Sen. Pam Lauria were among the Rhode Island delegation pledging (most of) their votes to Vice President Kamala Harris.

The group also included RI House Majority Leader Joseph Shekarchi, Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Representatives Gabe Amo and Seth Magaziner, Gov. Dan McKee, and Commerce Secretary and former governor Gina Raimondo.

For Speakman, who is a professor of Politics and International Relations at Roger Williams University as well as the Representative for District 68 (Bristol, Warren) in the RI General Assembly, it was her second convention. In 2012 she was an elected Obama delegate along with three others from Barrington. This time around, she was there as a PLEO (Party Leaders and Elected Officials) — a position she applied for, and was selected to attend by Shekarchi. Travel expenses for delegates, whether elected or selected, are entirely borne by the delegates themselves.

According to Speakman, the energy on the floor of the United Center was exceptional.

“It was very exciting and positive, and given what we (Democrats) have been through to get to Chicago, it was celebratory and wonderful,” she said. “I honestly thought I would die before seeing another woman at the top of the ticket.”

Lauria, who represents Senate District 32 (Barrington, Bristol, East Providence), agreed.

“The speakers and programming were inspirational and powerful. However, it was the energy, hope and joy, evident throughout the convention, that made the biggest impression for me,” she said. “Rhode Island had an incredible delegation and the opportunity to speak with Democrats from across the country was fantastic.”

As uplifting as it was, Speakman admits the schedule was pretty grueling. It started at 8 a.m. every day with a breakfast for the delegates, who were bussed to McCormack Place, which is the largest convention center in North America. There, delegates were able to listen to talks and participate in breakout sessions with panels and speakers, while rubbing elbows with other delegates and local and national politicians.

Speakman attended one labor session that featured Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. She also got to greet California representatives Maxine Waters and Zoe Lofgren after a women’s luncheon.

The Rhode Island delegation stayed at the Palmer House, an historic, 150-year-old hotel that is the longest continuously operating hotel in North America, located in the heart of the city. It was there that the delegates were bused to regroup for the evenings’ events at the United Center, which began at 5:30 p.m. each night.

“I pretty much stayed in my seat the entire time — and it went late every night,” said Speakman. “It was 11:30 or midnight by the time we got back to the hotel — and then there were after parties every night. I skipped them but the younger delegates went,” she laughed. “It was awesome. It was a very intense schedule.”

Though she said that it’s hard to pick one favorite moment, she said that Michelle Obama’s speech was definitely up there, as was the reception given to Elizabeth Warren by the crowd. “I think even she was surprised by it.”

“When Harris said ‘I accept your nomination’, that was certainly a highlight. And Stevie Wonder and Pink both performed. So it’s really hard to pick out one highlight.”

Speakman also mentioned some compelling moments, not highlights due to their gravity, but when the victims of gun violence and the parents of the Israeli hostage spoke, those moments were particularly powerful. “When you are in a space with thousands of people and it’s dead silent in the room, it is certainly moving.”

For Speakman, the City of Chicago was another highlight — and in an unexpected way.

“Chicago is a really wonderful city,” she said. “We took an architecture boat tour, and in one way it actually reminded me of Bristol — its character and sense of place is so embedded in its buildings and the tour guides express the same kind of love for Chicago that I hear people express about Bristol. I would love to get back and see more.”