National Delegation Interest Peaks For Democrats

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Scott Lea

Omaha (KPTM) -- Excitement over the Democratic Presidential nomination grows in Nebraska. Party leaders said applications to become a delegate for the party's national convention have skyrocketed.

Roughly 330 democrats have applied to represent Nebraska at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The party said only about 80 applied 4 years ago. Those applicants are hoping to land one of 24 spots to pledge support for either Obama or Clinton.

It would be a great feeling to be part of the Nebraska delegation," said Jeremy Nordquist. "You'd be a part of making history."

Nordquist is one Nebraska democrat with his eyes on the presidential race. He said after seeing large turnouts for the state caucuses in February he decided to try to take a more active role in the process.

"Just seeing the excitement from that event it got me motivated to go further potentially as a delegate," said Nordquist.

Nebraska's Democratic Party said more and more democrats feel that way. Leaders said applications to become a national delegate are up.

"It's about three to four times more than we normally have," said Lanny Munson, Rules Committee Chairman for the Nebraska Democratic Party.

Munson said once applications are submitted, they'll be reviewed by the campaigns before the final delegates are picked at the state convention.

"They're going to vote on who the nominee is for the party. That's their role as well as representing Nebraska at the convention," said Munson.

Based on the results from Nebraska's caucuses, 16 of the delegates will represent supporters of Barack Obama and 8 will support Hillary Clinton. The state also sends 6 super-delegates and an add-on delegate to Denver.

In 2004, about 80 republicans applied.

Tuesday marked the last day to apply to be a national delegate for Nebraska's Republican Pary. At print deadline, party leaders didn't have an exact number of applicants this year, but said it was higher than 2004.