CHICAGO — Night two of the Democratic National Convention with Arkansas delegates among the thousands, making Kamala Harris the presidential nominee.
In the last month, much has changed in this presidential campaign, most recently for the Democrats, who changed their nominee.
Now, Arkansas delegates at the convention said they're feeling a strong energy heading into November.
Arkansas Democrats made their support for the Harris-Walz ticket known on day two of the DNC, with delegates including State Rep. Tippi McCullough.
"The excitement is so new and strong," McCullough said. "I think we're just ready to work for the next few days we have."
She credits that surge in energy to the candidate change, with Kamala Harris stepping in after Joe Biden left the race.
"He was ready to turn that over to this next generation of leaders," McCullough said. "I think that's another thing that's happened in this convention: you've seen a long line of our next leader."
Some Republicans also showed up to speak at the DNC on Tuesday to vouch for Harris, while others were in the crowd, including Republican and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who is working as a media contributor.
"I've gone to eight Republican conventions, but this is the first time at a Democratic convention," Hutchinson said. "This is the most unpredictable political year in my lifetime, and it's proven to be that."
Now, as a former candidate himself, he's in a rare position to compare the Republican and Democratic conventions.
"The energy on both sides is really significant and means it's going to be very competitive in the fall," Hutchinson said. "If people think they have it figured out, just stay tuned for another month or so, and it's probably going to change again."
Meanwhile, Arkansas Democrats are pushing to bring some of the convention policies home, even if a blue state is unlikely in November.
"It'd be very difficult," McCullough said. "If we just want to talk complete numbers for that to happen, we will work. Obviously, we need to get our vote out, not just for president, but up and down the ballot, so we'll be working hard either way."
McCullough and Hutchinson both said that security is tight and that protests around the convention are slowing down traffic. However, both shared they felt safe as the DNC runs until Thursday.
On Wednesday, former president and Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton will take the stage, followed by others, including vice presidential nominee Tim Walz.