DNC 2024 Day 2: 'Yes, she can': Obama endorses Harris, blasts Trump

Angela Alsobrooks, who is taking on popular former Gov. Larry Hogan in Maryland's Senate race, spoke about her friendship with Harris and how she looked up to her as a mentor.

Democrats picked Alsobrooks to to give a lengthier speech than others -- and it's no coincidence.

Alsobrooks is running for Senate in Maryland, a race that was once considered sleepy. But with popular former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan as the GOP nominee, the race is more competitive, and Democrats are desperate to keep the seat of outgoing Sen. Ben Cardin in their column.

John Giles, the Republican mayor of Mesa, Arizona, got a prime-time spot at the DNC, during which he stressed putting country over party, "as my hero, John McCain, taught us."

"I have a confession to make. I'm a lifelong Republican. So, I feel a little out of place tonight. But I feel more at home here than in today's Republican Party," Giles said at the top of his remarks.

He said the Republican Party has devolved into "the cult of Donald Trump," whom he said made a lot of lofty promises as president but "couldn't deliver a thing."

Biden and Harris, meanwhile, reached across the aisle delivered for his conservative community and "countless more across the country," he said, while calling on Americans to "put country first" and elect Harris and Walz.

The future of reproductive rights was again a strong topic at the convention with several speakers discussing their personal struggles with having children or finding an abortion.

Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, expressed anger at Trump, Vance and Republicans over their proposals to limit fertility options and ban abortions.

"I take it personally when a five-time draft-dodging coward like Donald Trump tries to take away my rights and freedoms in return -- especially when it concerns my daughters," she said.

Duckworth a veteran and double amputee, was candid about IVF treatments used to conceive her daughters.

"My struggle with infertility was more painful than any wound I earned on the battlefield," she said.

Following roaring and upbeat moments during the roll call, the mood at the United Center became more subdued as several speakers, including Sens. Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders and Govs. J.B. Pritzker and Michelle Lujan Grisham.