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DNC notebook: How Kamala Harris inspired Lauren Underwood to start candle line

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood talked about attending parties at Vice President Kamala Harris’ house, watching reality TV and even had some advice for Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance, during a national TV appearance on “The Daily Show.”

Underwood’s interview on the late-night talk and satirical news program — in town this week for the Democratic National Convention — was one of a handful of prominent appearances this week by the Naperville congresswoman.

She spoke to correspondent Desi Lydic Tuesday night at the Athenaeum Center on Chicago’s North Side, which followed her prime-time speaking spot on the big DNC stage Monday night. She also addressed the women’s caucus at McCormick Place Tuesday morning.

At all of the events, Underwood was heralded as the youngest Black woman elected to Congress.

“Now there’s another woman that is on the cusp of some firsts — does Kamala Harris have you on speed dial for advice?” Lydic joked.

Better than that, Underwood — who came to know Harris by working on maternal health legislation together — has been invited to the vice president’s residence for parties. And, Underwood said, Harris gives great parting gifts.

“You’re a millennial woman, I’m a millennial woman, and we know that we love a candle,” Underwood told Lydic.

It inspired Underwood to launch a candle line of her own, called “Domestic Tranquility.” Hand-poured by Hearth & Hammer in Batavia, the candle is available in three scents — freedom, justice and liberty — for $50 on Underwood’s campaign website.

Also in her free time, Underwood told Lydic she likes watching TV shows like “Survivor.”

“There’s a lot of parallels between that particular show and my workplace,” Underwood said. “I get a lot of great inspiration from the heroes and villains of reality TV.”

A registered nurse, Underwood used medical terms to offer her view about Vance, a Senator from Ohio.

“It’s so clear to me JD Vance has a deeply rooted pathology when it comes to his hatred of women. I really hope he’s going to therapy,” she said.

First elected in 2018, Underwood is running this fall against Republican James Marter of Oswego in the 14th Congressional District.

  U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia jokes with Illinois Democrats at a breakfast caucus Wednesday during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Marni Pyke/mpyke@dailyherald.com

DNC dating advice

Not only did U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia galvanize a crowd at the Illinois delegation breakfast Wednesday, he also pulled some one-liners.

“Are you ready to knock on doors? Are you ready to make sure everyone in your family votes? That everybody in your church and in your temple and in your mosque votes? We don't want folks around (saying) 'I'm not sure if I'm going to vote,’” Warnock said.

“We need married people to vote. And if you’re single and he asks for your phone number — you tell him to write it on the back of his voter registration card,” the senator added to laughter.

Bunk’s take

Actor Wendell Pierce is among the celebrities who’ve been posting photos, videos and more from the Democratic National Convention on their social media accounts.

But Pierce — a co-star of the CBS drama “Elsbeth” but perhaps best known as Detective William “Bunk” Moreland on HBO’s classic “The Wire” — got a little time in the spotlight Tuesday when he introduced his home state of Louisiana during the ceremonial roll call for presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

Calling himself a “proud son of Louisiana” as jazz music played, Pierce — wearing a blue suit befitting of his “Wire” character’s well-known lawyerly affections — introduced U.S. Rep. Troy Carter for the roll call. Once Carter announced his delegation’s votes for Harris, Pierce declared he’d be casting his “personal vote” for Harris, too.

A New Orleans native, Pierce has reflected his love of Louisiana on the screen, too. He played a trombonist in the HBO show “Treme,” which was about life in the Crescent City after Hurricane Katrina.

See Pierce’s photos and videos from the convention at x.com/WendellPierce.

Actor Wendell Pierce speaks to reporters at the Democratic National Convention. AP

McDonald’s memories

When Bill Clinton made a reference to McDonald’s during his speech to the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night, it brought back memories for Palatine delegate Brian McPartlin.

Clinton, alluding to Vice President Kamala Harris’ experience working at the fast-food chain, said, “When she was a student, she worked at McDonald’s. She greeted every person with that thousand-watt smile and said, ‘How can I help you?’ And now, at the pinnacle of power, she’s still asking ‘How can I help you?’ I’ll be so happy when she actually enters the White House because, at last, she’ll break my record as the president who has spent the most time at McDonald’s.”

McPartlin, a former Mount Prospect School District 57 board member and former White House staffer, said he was in a picture that appeared in the Huffington Post following the speech. It showed him with the 42nd president in 1996 at a Little Rock, Arkansas, McDonald’s.

McPartlin worked as a handler for Clinton during his 1996 reelection campaign.

“It’s so crazy, because when he was president-elect and governor, the Little Rock McDonald’s just happened to be on the morning jog route. So we went there continually when he would jog.”

McPartlin, who still handles logistics for President Joe Biden and Harris, said it has been a busy convention for him. He saw Clinton on Monday. It was a fun trip down memory lane for campaigns going back to 1984.

“While his voice was a little softer, a little more raspy, his content was as good as always and his delivery was as good as always,” McPartlin said of the Wednesday speech.

  Brian McPartlin enjoying a speech at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday. Steve Zalusky/szalusky@dailyherald.com
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